On the recordJune 17, 2013
for 16 years, Blanca Gamez thought she was an average American girl. But when she turned 16, one by one her friends learned to drive. Her parents sat her down and explained an important truth she did not know at the time: She could not get her driver's license because she is an undocumented immigrant. Blanca's parents brought her from Mexico to the United States when she was 7 months old. Because they came without proper paperwork, she was missing something really important. Blanca's parents told her: ``You need nine numbers.'' That refers to a Social Security number, which she did not have. A Social Security number--those nine numbers-- opens doors to American citizens, which American citizens take for granted. I had an opportunity to visit with Blanca when I was in Las Vegas recently. She is a young woman with everything going for her. She is smart, she is driven, and she loves this country with a passion that is truly moving. In fact, she does not remember the country she was born in, Mexico. She was 7 months old when she came here. To her home means Nevada. That is our State song: ``Home Means Nevada.'' And home certainly means Nevada to this young woman. Unfortunately, without a Social Security number--those nine numbers-- Blanca faced challenges her American-born peers simply did not.…





