American Dreamers
The Times Editorial Board has called on the Trump administration to preserve Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program that temporarily shields some young immigrants from deportation and allows them to work legally.
We’re featuring stories from young immigrants who were spared from deportation and permitted to work during the Obama administration.
-
Kok-Leong Seow
from Wichita, Kan.
Student
To truly empathize, you need to dig deep and allow yourself to feel our pain and anxiety. DACA alleviates some of the fear and provides hope. -
Flor Reyes
from Dekalb, Ill.
Student
Thanks to DACA I was able to obtain my drivers licence, earn my associate, got a better job and manny other things that without DACA I couldn't have. -
Gladys Klamka
from Phillipsburg, N.J.
Health Care
I always thought it was funny that the government will take our money but not let us work legally in this country. -
Miriam Ochoa-Garibay
from Santa Ana, Calif.
Political Science Major at UCR
DACA has become a reassuring force to many students like myself who's only desire is to be given an education in order to become a successful factor of this society. -
Fidencio Fifield-Perez
from Galveston, Tex.
Educator and Visual Artist
We find ourselves repeating what we’ve done before, convincing you that we exist, while allowing you to ignore that our parents are the original dreamers. -
Ana Sanchez
from Elgin, Tex.
Student
If the permit is taken away, our hard work will become worthless. I want to give back to this country so I yearn congress to give me that chance. -
Vanessa Rodriguez
from Elgin, Tex.
Freshman at The University of Texas in Austin
Dreamers like me kept their dreams and secured them in a box called “Limitations”. It was until the arrival of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) that things changed for us. -
Fernando Espino Casas
from Chicago
Business Analyst, Aspiring Entreprenuer
DACA, quite simply, gave me, and thousands others, the tool we were missing to build our future here -
Alonso R. Reyna Rivarola
from Salt Lake City
Dream Program Coordinator
We all have different backgrounds, first and last names, interests, journeys, and goals; however, we all have at least one thing in common: we are all American Dreamers. -
Julia Verzbickis
from San Antonio, Tex.
Teacher
Knowing that I could lose all the freedom I've gained is a paralyzing fear. -
zuleyma garcia
from Apple Valley, Calif.
Banker
My mom always showed me anything is possible by working hard for it. I never really noticed or felt like I wasn't American. -
Isabelle Muhlbauer
from Jackson Heights, New York
Paralegal
While DACA is not the solution to the current state of immigration affairs, it has given me and over 700,000 other Dreamers the path to achieving the American Dream. -
Bruna
from Arlington, Va.
Public Affairs
I am empowered by an important lesson President Obama taught us: We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. -
Juan Escalante
from Tallahassee, Fla.
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding the DACA program, but perhaps the biggest one is that beneficiaries of the program are asking for a free pass. -
Denis Montero Diaz
from Milwaukee
Student and Aspiring Author
We ask only to let us contribute freely. Let us walk along you, shoulder to shoulder, on that same road our hands help to pave. -
Brisa E. Ramirez
from Fresno, Calif.
AmeriCorps*VISTA
My dream is to create a more compassionate society that restores human dignity to those who are pushed further into the margins. -
Giovanni
from San Francisco, Calif.
Consultant at a venture-backed tech startup
At the risk of sounding cliché, DACA opened doors for me. It goes well beyond just being able to work, and get a license, and fly domestically. -
Deyanira
from Austin, Tex.
Student
If DACA were removed, we would have to return to the shadows and live life in constant fear. -
Anayancy Ramos
from McDonough, Ga.
Student
I learned to live as an American before the memories of my homeland solidified into a permanent impression. -
CIndy
from Albuquerque
Legislative Pool Analyst and Graduate Research Assistant
I will always be grateful to President Obama for taking the first step to uplift our immigrant communities through his efforts to support us regardless of the criticism he received. -
Alejandra Gonzalez
from Milwaukee
Student at Alverno College
There are Dreamers that have become lawyers, doctors, police officers and small business owners thanks to DACA and their career choices benefits the country as a whole. -
Miriam Santamaria
from Houston
Small Business Owner
Hopefully, the Trump administration takes into consideration all of our stories when they make a decision about the future. -
Tania García-Piña
from Austin, Tex.
Graduate Student
Losing DACA means losing the opportunity to develop my full potential as a scholar who could eventually become a professor, and a mentor to future undocu/DACA-mented students. -
José-Manuel González Cedillo
from Los Angeles
Human Rights Activist, International Political Science Major, Co-Founder of A.W.O., Entrepreneur.
We as immigrants should be proud because being immigrant is part of the American tradition. -
Julio Ramos
from Brownsville, Tex.
Teacher and Graduate Student in Biomedical Informatics
My ideology that anything is possible with hard work is now wavering in thoughts of insecurity. -
Julyanna Carvalho Rogers
from Memphis, Tenn.
Foreign language consultant
I’m no longer afraid, I feel that if everyone shares their story others will empathize and realize we all have the same story. -
Jay
from Houston, Tex.
Software Developer
When I was 11, I made a promise to my parents that I will do everything in my power to make sure that my siblings have good lives. And I am not an oath breaker. -
Gargi Y. Purohit
from Woodside, New York
Student and Researcher
DACA gave me the opportunity to not only help myself, but also to help the undocumented community at the University of Notre Dame. -
Victor Esparza
from Hartford , Mich.
Information Technology Support Analyst
This narrative i feel is not only mine, it is owned, shared by hundred thousands of others who also have persevered because of DACA. -
Aurelio Rodriguez-Medrano
from Salt Lake City
Insurance Sales
With DACA I was able to open a bank account for the first time, travel and move to another state, as well as legitimize my existence in the United States. -
Ricardo Morones Torres
from San Diego, Calif.
First-year law student
I implore President-elect Donald Trump to keep DACA. I am not a threat; I love this country as much as he does. -
Karina Macias Sandoval
from East Palo Alto, Calif.
University Talent Acquisition and Strategy
With DACA I've interned at non-profit organizations, social venture funds, tech companies, and since graduation in May have landed in the biotech industry. -
Yamilet Sanchez
from Philadelphia
Legal Assistant
Thanks to DACA many Dreamers including myself no longer live in a shadow. -
Daniel Vasquez
from Los Angeles
Student
I’m not so excited for the next challenges that are to come if DACA is removed because there is no more hiding for us. -
Belsy Garcia
from Chicago
Medical student
This experience has made me more open minded, more empathetic, caring, and compassionate—all traits that I will use when caring for patients -
Itzel Medina
from Seattle
Student
My future of perhaps going to Law school and traveling and maybe one day becoming a citizen crushed. -
Ximena Bouroncle
from Miami Beach, Fla.
Teacher
The truth is that all we want is to contribute back to the country that saw us grow up and ensure our communities continue to prosper. -
Mariana Castro
from Gainesville, Fla.
President of Chispas UF
Immigrant youth like me want nothing else but to further their education and give back to their community. -
Claudia Jimenez Contreras
from Orlando, Fla.
Student
If DACA is taken away once President-Elect Trump takes office, it will be detrimental to everyone in this country. -
Itzayanna Aritzhail Rubio
from Creston, Iowa
College student
Deferred Action re-validated the countless hours I have spent working towards my education. -
Sabina
from New York, N.Y.
I have always believed that working hard would change my immigration status but it sometimes it feels like there are a lot of things against me. -
Carlos Sucre
from Miami
Technology Advisor
DACA allowed me to believe that the future was not just an ephemeral concept, but something I could work on. -
Daniel
from Dallas
Social Media Strategist
I may not have been born on U.S. soil, but my home is here, my friends and family are here, and my aspirations and dreams are here. -
Libbing Barrera
from Spring Valley, N.Y.
Student
DACA has opened so many doors that had once been locked shut for me. -
Jessica Astudillo
from Corona, N.Y.
Research Assistant/Field Interviewer
As a future physician, I hope to use my unique life experiences to better serve my home and those in need, and having DACA will allow me to do so. -
Carlos Adolfo Gonzalez Sierra
from Lancaster, Penn.
Schwarzman Scholar and Youth Panelist, International Commission on Financing Global Education
I am 25 years old, have two master’s degrees, and an inconsolable desire to contribute to the country that has given me so much. -
Maira Hernandez-Rico
from Kansas City, Mo.
Consultant
The reality of being undocumented means there is an invisible chain that holds you somewhere between your birthland and the U.S. but foothold in neither. -
Amy Cho
from Chicago
User Experience Designer
It is very disheartening to know that I have a timeline of 2 years and that DACA could be taken away in the upcoming years or even be deported under the new administration. -
Nadia Rojas
from Berkeley, Calif.
Research Assistant
I graduated with a Master of Public Health in 2013 from UC Davis and was able to obtain a job in the public health field upon graduation. -
Luis Medina
from Detroit
Student
When i was approved for DACA it was a blessing i was finally able to work, drive and continue my education. -
Christian Ugaz
from Union City, N.J.
Clinical Research Coordinator
I want to go to medical school to pursue an MD/MPH and the journey to achieve this would be very difficult without DACA. -
Mariana Sánchez Ramírez
from Tampa, Fla.
Political Science Undergraduate Student
To me, DACA represents not only peace of mind but the freedom to pursue and achieve the American dream. -
Erika Bocanegra
from Dallas
Promotions Manager
I was approved for DACA in 2013 and I suddenly felt like I was allowed to have aspirations about my future. -
Eduardo Solis
from Los Angeles
College Student
Yes, I am worried of what will happen once Mr. Trump becomes president. No, I will not give up the fight. I will make sure the dreams of DREAMers become a reality one day. -
Ilknur Eren
from New York, N.Y.
All I want is a answer to one question I’ve been asking my whole life; What did I do wrong? -
Rony Rivas
from Dallas
Student
To think that my work permit, social security, driver’s license and future could be jeopardized brings remnants of the fear and worry I had prior to DACA. -
Naomi Tellez-Duran
from Sumter, S.C.
Student
We as DACA students must stand up for our rights because we have worked too hard to get to where we are. -
Manuela Karim
from San Antonio, Tex.
Social Media Coordinator and Writer
DACA provided me with the means to a future in this country, and it could give many more deserving young people a brilliant future as well. -
Nancy A.
from Houston
Professor
When I received my DACA at 23, it was as if I was finally forgiven for a sin I had no control over when I was a child. -
Pamela Portocarrero
from Salt Lake City
Educator
I want to continue serving this country I call home. I want to make it better. I want to be with my husband and family. Please let me stay. -
Sayra
from Palm Springs, Calif.
MBA Student
Growing up I was a passenger in my parent's struggles. From homelessness to the paralyzing fear of being stopped by the police and have to face deportation, they made the tough choices that kept us afloat. -
Alfredo Avila
from San Antonio, Tex.
Electrical Engineering Student
One day i want to build and manage my own technology company that thrives on diversity and inclusion because that is what DACA means to me: giving others an opportunity to succeed on basis of their passion and dreams. -
Sedef Keskin
from New Haven, Conn.
Teacher
Ever since the day I came to this country, all I wanted was to fit in, to be accepted. -
Kenia Calderon
from Des Moines, Iowa
College Student
We didn’t come to this country to commit crimes, steal anyone’s job, or take advantage of it. We came to this country to live, prosper, and make it better. -
Maria Juliana Rodriguez Acosta
from Tallahassee, Fla.
Student at Florida State University
My siblings and I take advantage of every single opportunity allotted to us through the DACA program, never taking for granted the sacrifices our parents have made to get us here. -
Salvador Perez-Lopez
from Bremen, Indiana
College Student
People who do not know us assume we were given had outs when DACA came into place, when really, they do not know that we: pay about $500... -
Jazmin Sosa- Pahuamba
from Philadelphia
Immigration Specialist
I am an example for my younger siblings and family members proving dreams come true as long as you do not give up. -
Laura Aguiar
from Yakima, Wash.
Financial aid Program Coordinator
I learned that when I was two years old, my parents had immigrated to this country and it was not something they ever spoke of and it never occurred to me that I was different than my American born siblings. -
Luis Gallardo
from Los Angeles
Despite the hardships I have faced in this country -- poverty, discouragement and alienation -- I long to become a citizen one day, as this is the only country I have known. -
Eduardo Hernandez
from Sonoma, Calif.
Student at the University of California Davis
We walked away from the shadows, but now, many of us have fallen back into them and into a state of fear. -
Hiram
from Dallas
Architect
With the help of DACA, I have been able to do things and contribute to society in a way I could never have imagined. -
Mariella C. Zavala
from Irvine, Calif.
Ph.D. Student and Researcher at the University of California, Irvine
Revoking DACA would cost the US the potential of many hard-working, extremely resilient individuals who make this country a better place. -
Ludguin Ruiz
from Houston
Northbrook High School Student
Now my question is, why is it that I am considered an alien? Please do not let a piece of paper define me. -
Kelly Yzique
from New York City
Peacebuilding Policy Specialist
All I want is for people to understand that although we were brought against our own will or knowledge, we still love this country. We are Americans. -
Sal Rivas
from Dallas, Tex.
Student
As disenfranchised as I felt on November 9th, I know that justice will prevail and this country will always be a country full of immigrants. -
Priscilla
from Brownsville, Tex.
High school teacher
My story is the story of millions- We are here, we are students, we are teachers, we are innovators and we are hard-working individuals committed to our communities. -
Monica Aguilar
from Riverside, Calif.
Student, Sales Associate, Entrepreneur
Through DACA I have been able to continue fulfilling my American Dream and paying for my education through the work permit provided. -
Nestor Jimenez
from Hyattsville, Md.
Student
The incoming administration should be aware that our dedication and hard work will trump (ironically) any obstacle put before us. -
Andres Donoso
from Cambridge, Mass.
Technology Consultant
Now that I can earn a very good income, I take such great joy in lifting and supporting my family. -
Mario Abraham Figueroa
from Berkeley, Calif.
Civil Engineering Student
Living in America has opened up so many doors for us and we are truly living our version of the American dream. -
Juan Gramajo Perez
from Oakland, Calif.
Contract Manager
In movies, people want to glamorize "you are one in a million" to signify how unique or special they are; with DACA I am one in 664,607 strong. -
Blanca Gamez
from Las Vegas
Communications Associate
With Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), it has aided tremendously to maneuver accomplishing the list of goals and dreams I set for myself. -
Cem Uyar
from Chicago
Law Student
I am now 24, first to graduate college from my family, and currently a law student at Northwestern University. -
Edwin Torres
from Minneapolis, Minn.
Legal Clerk
Having DACA has allowed me to succeed, to be able to give back to my parents, but most importantly to serve as a productive member of our society. -
Jonathan M.
from La Palma, Calif.
The heart of being a citizen has always existed but with DACA I have been able to do much more for my community and myself. -
Maria Gutierrez
from Chicago
Pre-K Teacher
Despite their ineligibility to its benefits, a threat to DACA is a threat to my parents' "American Dream". -
Ciriac Alvarez Valle
from Salt Lake City
College Access Mentor and Student
Removing DACA would mean I would not be able to empower and help the students I have worked with all year find the resources they need to be successful in college. -
Erik Vargas
from Philadelphia, Penn.
Student
DACA makes engineers, doctors, and lawyers possible but we just as well have to protect the rights of construction workers and office cleaners. -
Claudia V. Lemus-Campos
from Pharr, Texas
Public Relations Specialist
With DACA I get to help my husband Pablo — a US Marine Corps veteran—with our bills and expenses -
Raul
from Portland, Ore.
Marketing Operations
DACA has allowed many Americans like me to fulfill our true potential and give back to our community. -
Jin Park
from Flushing, N.Y.
Student, director of nonprofit
DACA liberated me to apply to college freely and openly, which allowed me to attend Harvard College, where I am now a junior studying biology and government. -
Eulalio Mendez
from Santa Cruz, Calif.
Student
The ability to contribute is dependent upon the ongoing existence of DACA. -
Enrique Ramirez
from Cambridge, Mass.
Student
Among these dimensions of who I am is also the fact that I do not have a legal status in the US. It's a dimension that was hard for me to accept. -
Eduardo Reyes
from Fort Worth, Tex.
Student
I ask no handouts from anyone, just the chance to prove that I can contribute lawfully. -
Hilario Yanez
from Houston
President of Management Information Systems Student Organization
My hope is to continue to inspire and motivate the next generation to see challenges as windows of opportunities to overcome. -
John N.
from Woodside, N.Y.
Senior Operations Manager
I was too young to understand that I was an illegal immigrant so I did what millions of other dreamers had done before me, work hard and try my best to achieve the American Dream. -
Ari
from Boston
Business Owner
The fear of loosing everything I have is real, the fear of getting deported to a country I don't know is real. -
Jamie Diaz
from Miami
Criminal Justice Major
I dream of becoming an FBI agent and help this beautiful country. The country who opened up doors and gave me all these opportunities. -
Sabato Visconti
from Northampton, Mass.
Multimedia Artist
What people don’t realize about us DACA kids, is that we hustle twice as hard to maintain a façade of American normalcy. -
Gloria Rodriguez
from Orange, N.J.
Student and Nail Tech
We just want to be educated and promote the importance of a higher education to those who do not have any support. -
Sebastian Martinez
from New York
Business Analyst
With DACA, I worked in tech and business for the past 4 and a half years. I created dozens of jobs from an e-commerce that pumps millions into the US economy. -
Fernando
from Santa Ana, Calif.
Creative Designer
I am confident and I have faith that the Deferred Action program will remain in place as it is beneficial not only to us but to our economy. -
Jonnathan
from New York
Executive Assistant
I am a DACA recipient but I am also much more. I am a brother, a friend, a coworker, a neighbor, a dreamer, I am a man. -
Deyvid Morales
from Salt Lake City
DACA Scholars Founder and CEO
My second app is "DACA Scholars" which has over 130 scholarship opportunities for "DACAmented; Undocumented youth". -
Eroisha
from New York
Accounting
It was not until I was approved for DACA and allowed to live in the US without the fear of deportation that I shared my story and truly started living my life in America. -
Courtne Comrie
from Mount Vernon, N.Y.
Student
I'm in my third semester of college and unashamed. Because with DACA, I can chase my dreams for those who can and those who can't. -
Blas Morales
from Riverside, Calif.
Courtesy clerk and full time student
Let's look at how much good DACA has done and how much of a negative impact is going to do if reversed. -
Kevin A. Calderon
from Oxnard, Calif.
Student
I want to give back to my community and I want to contribute to our economy. I want to reach my highest potential and I want to put my skills to use. -
Vianey Romero, LMSW
from Bronx, New York
Social Worker
Thanks to DACA I am able to do what I love, counseling victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. -
Fernando Da Silva
from Newark
Construction Superintendent
Being forced to leave my home, to a country I barely remember, is what I fear the most, for me, and specially for my daughter. -
Gerson
from Chico, Calif.
Anthropology Student
Thanks to Deferred Action, California grants me access to their Medi-Cal. I get to see an oncologist; I get to access my chemotherapy; I get to live. -
V.A.M.
from Los Angeles
Marketing
I don't know how to explain to my oldest son that I don't know what will happen to our way of life next year. -
Anabel Perez
from Bronx, New York
Full-time student at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
DACA has been a life changing experience. I was finally able to work legally, have a Social Security card, pay taxes, open a bank account, get on an airplane, get a driver’s license and finish college. -
Pedro Da Cruz
from Hollywood, Fla.
Salesman and Security
Under DACA, I still can't leave the country or vote, and for someone who's been here for 17 years (over 80% of my life) I think there should be a path to citizenship other than marriage. -
Maria Jose Ubiergo
from New York, N.Y.
Risk Analyst
When President Obama announced Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2012 it changed my life. I was finally able to contribute my skills and talents to society. -
Bruno Yupanqui Tovar
from Sterling, Va.
Teacher
I was able to provide and fulfill many of the goals that I had set. -
Nay
from New York
Student
I'm a DREAMer, where I want to serve my country in the army and go to college to study Astrophysics in efforts to build my resume for NASA's astronaut applicants. -
Diana Reyes
from St. Louis
Student
Despite all the documents I had to fill out, I was thankful of the opportunity. I would soon have a future in this country. -
Marco Ornelas-Mendoza
from Kent, Wash.
Student
In June 2012, Obama gave the executive order to start DACA, and thus, opened up my world, or so I thought. -
Dennis
from Queens, New York
School Counselor
The lost of DACA could mean that I could lose my job and career. But this time it will be different, I am not the man from 8 years ago. I am not afraid. -
Fatima
from Dallas
Nurse
With DACA I started legally working 35-40 hours week at nonprofit clinic making enough money to pay my way through nursing school. -
Gloria S. Rinconi
from Dallas, Tex.
Medical Assistant
DACA gave me the wings I had hoped for all my life when I was in school. -
Luis Roberto Ursua Briceno
from Arizona State University
Student
I still remember the many chills that went through my body when President Obama announced the initiative. -
Sofia De La Vega
EMT student
If I were to move back, I know for a fact I would not like it. I wouldn’t have a car, internet, friends, any security, and getting killed is a possibility every day. -
Nayelli Valdemar
Inspiring me to be the best I can, even when the odds plotted against me, DACA was, and is, there to give a helping hand.