My Dreams Are Not Illegal – Smithsonian ¡Presente! Exhibition
Created in 2017 on the day the Trump administration announced the end of DACA, My Dreams Are Not Illegal emerged as a visual statement of solidarity and resilience. The illustration features a long-haired Afro-Latina woman surrounded by monarch butterflies against a sky-blue backdrop, symbolizing migration, hope, and transformation. The work honors undocumented youth and communities fighting for belonging and dignity.
In 2020, the artwork was selected for display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History as part of the preview exhibition for the National Museum of the American Latino. It later became part of the 2022 exhibition ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States, highlighting the power of art in shaping social movements and cultural identity.
In 2025, the exhibition was closed months earlier than expected following political criticism and a White House article that labeled the show “anti-American.” The piece appeared on a national list of artworks considered divisive, removed from display without proper context.
My Dreams Are Not Illegal remains a symbol of creative resistance and cultural pride. It continues to represent the strength of immigrant communities and the enduring belief that every person’s story, struggle, and dream deserves to be seen and valued.
Featured In:
- “President Trump Is Right About the Smithsonian” — The White House
- “Trump targets Smithsonian work by Texas border artist” — Texas Public Radio
- “Trump is targeting several Smithsonian artworks. Here they are.” — The Washington Post
- “Trump’s war on culture shows that people’s voices are powerful” — Liberation News
