07/04/2026
Every Fourth of July, I find myself reflecting on this photo.
It was taken in 2020, before we became parents. Looking at it today, I see two immigrants filled with gratitude for the opportunities America had given us—and hopeful for the future we were building together.
Long before this photo was taken, my parents made one of the hardest decisions of their lives: they immigrated to America because they believed their children deserved a chance—not a guarantee, but a chance—at the American Dream.
Their dream wasn’t about wealth or status. It was about opportunity. They wanted my siblings and me to grow up in a country where hard work mattered, where education opened doors, and where we could dream bigger than our circumstances.
That journey shaped who I am.
It led me to become a CPA. It led me to public service. And it led me to the incredible honor of representing the people of Charlotte.
Today, I see America through another lens—as a mother of two young daughters.
When I tuck my girls into bed each night, I think about every parent who wants the same simple things: to keep their children safe, provide opportunities they never had, and build a better future for the next generation.
That’s why the conversations happening across our country about immigration are deeply personal to me.
America is a nation of laws, and those laws matter. But America is also a nation built on dignity, compassion, and hope. We can enforce our laws while remembering the humanity of every person and every family. We can protect our borders while recognizing that every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and protected.
As someone whose family was given a chance, I believe we should never lose sight of what makes America extraordinary: our ability to uphold the law while extending compassion, to value security while honoring human dignity, and to remember that behind every policy are real people and real families.
This Independence Day, I’m grateful for the dream my parents had the courage to pursue, for the opportunities this country gave my family, and for the responsibility we all share to ensure that America remains a place where future generations can continue to believe in that dream.
The little girl whose parents brought her to America in pursuit of the American Dream now has the privilege of serving the city she loves. That’s a responsibility I will never take for granted.
Happy Independence Day, Charlotte. Happy Fourth of July, America. 🇺🇸
