“I think what scares me the most about losing my DACA status is not my own well-being, because this country has activated my indigenous blood’s survival nature, the same that ran through my ancestras’ veins. What does scare me the most is the reality that losing my status does not only impact me negatively, but it impacts my children (2 and 4-years-old) directly, it impacts their well-being, their present, and their futures. Similarly, it impacts my community, for entire families rely on DACA holders to provide, support, and help the family navigate this country’s system. With the loss of DACA, more than just my status disappears. My entire livelihood is at stake and my community gets attacked.
As the future of DACA remains uncertain, I particularly think about the privilege I hold as a DACAmented immigrant and recognize my duty to continue to advocate and fight for relief for the undocumented youth who did not qualify for DACA and all other undocumented immigrants who long for the day they can live without fear and have access to the resources they have contributed to this country.”
— Rev. Cassandra Nuñez, UMC
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“The ending of DACA would mean taking away the one thing that has provided a sense of stability after decades of waiting, praying and actively looking for solutions. It would mean disrupting the support system I represent for my family, friends, and community. It would mean letting fear win over protecting someone’s life and God-given dignity.”
— Anonymous (for security)
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“We all belong to a family, a community. God’s greatest desire is for the body of Christ to be one, to be united to truly flourish. A family, community and congregation without their DACA recipients will be fragmented and wounded. Pain, confusion, anxiety, uncertainty, and much more will certainly be present if DACA recipients were to be separated from their bonds of belonging. If one member suffers, the whole body suffers.”
— Jennifer Hernández
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“To imagine DACA recipients being removed from this country is to imagine families that are incomplete, to see empty spaces that were once filled with such courageous, loving, kind, and hardworking individuals. To imagine DACA recipients being removed is to imagine a portion of the ‘American Dream’ being deleted from history. To imagine this is to imagine an incomplete puzzle piece, a puzzle piece with so much beauty and potential, simply ruined by the hands of those who refuse to see the bigger picture.”
— Valeria Bejar, Disciples of Christ
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“If DACA recipients were deported, we would lose many young leaders in our spaces. The power and resilience these leaders project to their communities will be lost. We would lose students, workers, family earners, and loved ones…”
— Luz Chavez-Gonzales, United We Dream
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“If I lose my DACA, I might not be able to send money to support my mother who depends on my earnings. Also my family will suffer in worrying about how I can be targeted for deportation.”
— Jung Woo Kim, NAKASEC
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“Every day, I fear that reckless actions will strip away the lifeline that has been my DACA status. DACA bestowed upon me a life out of the shadows, and with that I finally felt like I had a future, for myself, my family, and the community of undocumented youth just like me.”
— Anonymous (for security)
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“I came to the U.S. from Honduras at the age of six. My mother wanted a better, safer future for us and I am only here thanks to her. I graduated high school as class valedictorian and I was able to continue my passion for education because of DACA. However, with the end of DACA looming, my dreams are at risk. I do not know how much longer I can stay here in the U.S. However, I am hopeful and committed to fighting for a Clean DREAM Act.”
— Ilse Cruz