Living the American DREAM

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A compilation report of the "Living the American DREAM" series from the NCLR blog.

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ORAL

OFFICE OF
RESEARCH,
ADVOCACY &
LEGISLATION

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national
Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the
United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic
Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated
community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of
Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District
of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied
research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino
perspective in five key areas—assets/investments, civil
rights/immigration, education, employment and economic
status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building
assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local
level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.
Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan,
tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC,
serving all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country. It
has state and regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami,
New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio.
National Council of La Raza
Raul Yzaguirre Building
1126 16th Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036-4845
(202) 785-1670
www.nclr.org
© June 2015 by the National Council of La Raza.
All rights reserved

Acknowledgments
This compilation of stories is the result of a collaborative
effort between the National Council of La Raza (NCLR),
its Affiliates, and individuals who were willing to share their
stories. NCLR staff Janet Hernandez, David Castillo, and
Laura Vazquez and interns Gaby Gomez and Andres Macias
interviewed the individuals and originally conveyed their stories
as blog posts. The following NCLR Affiliates facilitated contact
with the profiled youth: El Pueblo, Inc., Latin American
Community Center, Latin American Youth Center, and Latino
Memphis. NCLR thanks the individuals who agreed to share
their stories with us and the broader public. They provide
inspiration for our work.

Table of Contents
1 Introduction
3 Hareth
6 Yazmin
8 Jose
11 Jesus
14 Nadia
16 Carla
18 Joel
21 Katherine
23 Maria
24 Ana
26 Karina
29 Maria
32 Emilio

Introduction
These stories are the tip of the iceberg. In February 2015,
NCLR began posting weekly on our blog about people who
had received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The idea was to reach individuals who would be eligible
for expanded DACA and the proposed Deferred Action for
Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA)
program. By sharing how DACA has transformed people’s lives,
others would be inspired to apply.
Due to a federal court order, however, as of February 16, 2015
there has been a hold on DAPA and the expansion of DACA.
Nonetheless, those who meet the requirements for the existing
DACA program announced in 2012 can still apply and renew
their applications.
More than 664,600 people have received administrative relief
through DACA. These profiles demonstrate that while their
individual stories vary, some common threads exist. Many
remember celebrating the announcement of DACA three years
ago, as well as celebrating the approval of their applications.
They recount the individuals who helped them along the way,
from school counselors and teachers to parents and family
members who inspired them to work hard and pursue their
dreams despite the challenges they faced.
In this compilation, we hear about what life was like before
DACA and what it has meant for these recipients to receive a
work permit and live without the fear of deportation. They came
to the United States in different ways from all over the globe.
They settled across the country, but all grew up with a strong
desire to do well in school, help their families, and give back to
their communities. These youth represent the ways that DACA
can be transformative, from granting access to in-state tuition
to facilitating higher education, better job opportunities, and
driver’s licenses.

1

While more than half of the eligible
population has applied for DACA,
hundreds of thousands of eligible
people have still not applied. Moreover,
the Migration Policy Institute estimates
that there are approximately 473,000
young people who will become eligible
for DACA once they turn 15 years
old. As demonstrated by the stories
here, DACA has allowed individuals
to pursue their dreams and continue
contributing to their communities. They
also show that by blocking DAPA and
the expansion of DACA, opponents
not only keep families in limbo but
also deny our country the substantial
social and economic benefits that these
programs offer.

2

Hareth

Hareth, with Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, at a
celebration recognizing DREAMers of Virginia’s efforts in
pushing for access to in-state tuition

Hareth Andrade planned to go to college ever since she was a
little girl. She just never imagined the challenges that she would
face in getting there. Hareth arrived in the United States without
her parents at an early age, and it was years before she would
see them again. They stayed behind in Bolivia, hoping that their
daughter would have better opportunities in the United States.
With time, Hareth adapted to her new reality and excelled in
school. She attended Washington High School in Arlington,
Virginia, where she took Advanced Placement and International
Baccalaureate classes.
Hareth worked hard and her future looked bright. But one
day, while visiting a University of Virginia camp for high
school students interested in science, she learned that she
would face challenges in pursuing her dreams because she was
undocumented. Like many DREAMers, even though she worked
hard and felt as American as her peers, she didn’t have the
paperwork to prove it.
Hareth explained, “I had heard about Social Security numbers,
but I didn’t know what that was. We didn’t talk about it at home.
One of the panelists was talking about financial aid and Social
Security numbers. I was puzzled, so I asked, ‘What if someone
doesn’t have a Social Security number?’ The response was
something I did not expect. It felt like a slap in the face.”

3

Given her accomplishments in school and her talents, Hareth’s
opportunities seemed endless. However, after discovering the
barriers to higher education that her undocumented status posed,
she felt uncertain about her future. Thanks to the inspiration
from her guidance counselor, Hareth realized that she could use
her talents to push for policy change, so she started advocating
for Congress to allow students like her, who had grown up in the
U.S., to continue their education and pursue their dreams in the
country they call home.
After graduating from high school, Hareth, along with other
students, founded DREAMers of Virginia, an organization that
has led efforts to provide access to in-state tuition for people who
came to the United States as children and graduated from high
school in Virginia.
She remembers when President Obama announced DACA.
Hareth applied in the summer of 2012 and shortly after received
her documents, including her work permit, in the mail. “The day
I got the card, I called my mom crying, and I told her, ‘Mom, it’s
happening! I am going to do all these things I want to do.’”

10,219 people have been granted DACA in
Virginia as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

Now Hareth’s life has changed in ways large and small. “Before
it was so limiting,” she said. “One time I could not get into the
movie theater to watch the newest Harry Potter movie. I had to
show ID to prove I was 18 years old, but since the movie theater
staff didn’t take my student ID and I had no state-issued ID,
I was not let in. When I held DACA in my hands, it meant so
much to me.”

4

An estimated 25,000 people in Virginia are
eligible for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

Since receiving DACA, Hareth transferred
from community college to Trinity Washington
University, where she is pursuing a degree in
international affairs. She expects to graduate
next year and obtain a job in that field.
Thanks to DACA, there is a clear path
for young people like Hareth to enter the
workforce. “Applying for jobs has felt like an
accomplishment. Writing my Social Security
number on a piece of paper felt like an
accomplishment. My entire life has been based
on this number.”
Hareth has continued to advocate for
opportunities for her peers. In 2014,
DREAMers of Virginia was instrumental in
securing access to in-state tuition in Virginia.
Today DACA recipients are eligible to pay
in-state tuition at some of Virginia’s colleges
and universities, keeping higher education
within reach.
When asked what she would like to see next,
Hareth said, “I would like to see my parents
included in DAPA. These programs shape
lives. Our society can’t exclude the people who
help the most. Otherwise we are not helping
our country move forward.”

5

Yazmin
Like so many young people profiled in this space, Yazmin Abreu
of Orange County, California, arrived in the United States as
a child. She was eight years old, and her young mind could not
fully grasp why her family was leaving what she thought was a
happy life in Mexico. What she didn’t realize was that her father,
like many parents, was looking for a way to sustain his family, and
coming to the U.S. was the chance to realize his potential. He
decided to move first, and Yazmin, her siblings, and her mother
would join later.
For much of her early life, Yazmin was not aware of her
immigration status. She struggled some in school, though not
with her academics. Rather, Yazmin had difficulty socially.
Thanks to a great elementary school teacher who took an interest
her, she was able to overcome these challenges. In middle school
Yazmin discovered that she was an undocumented immigrant.
That revelation would affect how guarded she was about many
details of her private life.
Despite the problems presented by her status, Yazmin was
determined to go to college, though she knew getting there would
not be easy. However, thanks to the California DREAM Act, she
was able to pay in-state tuition. She also confided in a guidance
counselor about being undocumented, and that counselor helped
her in the college application process.
Although she was able to attend college, it wasn’t always an
easy road. Yazmin’s commute to and from school was an hour
and a half every day. Often she made use of the computer labs
until they closed, and she wouldn’t get home until midnight.
She admits that it took a while for her to graduate, as she had to
take some time off to raise funds for classes. Her hard work and
dedication finally paid off when, in 2012, Yazmin graduated from
California State University, Long Beach with a degree in health
science education.

6

Freshly graduated and ready to work, Yazmin didn’t find a job
easily, especially due to her immigration status. Later that year,
however, after receiving administrative relief through DACA,
Yazmin hit the ground running, reveling in the practice of even
applying for a job legally.

194,132 people have been granted DACA in
California as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

“Right now, I can go to websites, look for jobs, and apply to them,
and it is such a sense of freedom,” said Yazmin. She was even
excited to go to the DMV. “I had the biggest smile on my face. I
was finally able to set foot in there. That fear just goes away.”
Yazmin is still searching for the right career, and she is
determined to make it happen. In the meantime, she wants to ask
those who are blocking expanded DACA and DAPA why they
are so intent on deporting people who will contribute greatly to
the United States, especially given the numbers of people who
are already benefiting from relief.
“This country needs DREAMers like us, so why give it away?”
she asked. “I know I’m going to achieve the American Dream.
They need to think about the future.”

An estimated 343,000 people in California are
eligible for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

7

Jose

Jose is living his dream of working in the medical field.

When Jose Aguiluz was 15, he was involved in a severe car
accident in his native Honduras. Desperate for help, his aunt
contacted doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore,
Maryland. The staff were able to perform the required surgery,
and it wasn’t long before Jose and his aunt traveled from
Honduras to the United States. His immediate family joined soon
after so they could be by his side before and after the procedure.
The surgery came at a great cost, however. Jose’s parents had to
sell everything they owned to pay for it and to be with him.
That was almost 10 years ago. Yet it was a fateful event for many
reasons. During his stay at the prestigious medical facility, Jose
discovered his passion for medicine. It also marked the beginning
of a new life.
Jose remained in the U.S.—a decision that was beyond his
control—and in time his visa expired. Despite the hardships
brought on by his undocumented status, Jose proved to be
a spectacular student. Although his status barred him from
receiving financial aid, Jose managed to find jobs to pay his
tuition and fees at Montgomery College. His workday started at
5:00 a.m., followed by classes at night.
When the DACA program was established, Jose knew he had an
opportunity to finally achieve his potential. He chose to pursue

8

8,161 people have been granted DACA in
Maryland as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

a nursing degree and was dedicated to making this
dream come true, no matter what obstacles were in
his way.
“Education is the path we have to become someone in
our lives,” said Jose.
Jose continued to balance work and school once he
started his nursing education. Despite a hectic schedule,
he became active in his community too. He worked
to pass the Maryland DREAM Act by canvassing
neighborhoods and encouraging people to get out
the vote. This civic experience made the DACA
announcement that much more special for Jose.
On the day President Obama introduced DACA, Jose
went to NCLR Affiliate CASA de Maryland to talk
with fellow youth organizers and share in the victory
they had worked so hard to achieve. He filled out his
DACA application, anxious to receive his work permit
and finally advance toward his dreams. The best part
was being able to take his board examinations. Since
January 2014, Jose has been employed at Washington
Adventist Hospital as a registered nurse.

9

An estimated 20,000 people in Maryland are
eligible for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

Jose has already achieved much, but the 23-year-old is
just getting started. He continues to contribute to his
community as a member of Casa’s board of directors.
He is also continuing his studies and plans to pursue
an advanced degree in public health at the school
where it all started: Johns Hopkins University.
Without DACA, Jose knows that getting to this point
would have been nearly impossible, and he pleads with
Congress and the 26 states that have blocked DACA
expansion and the new DAPA program. “Only by
removing these roadblocks can we show everyone what
we’re capable of,” he says.

10

Jesus

Jesus Chavez at a 2013 immigration rally on the National Mall.

As a gay undocumented youth, Jesus Chavez understands well
the challenges of living with secrets. He grew up in California’s
Central Valley always aware of his immigration status but
forbidden from speaking about it.
At 14, Chavez vividly recalls watching coverage of the 2006
immigration reform rallies in cities and towns across the country. It
was then that he realized why his parents had gone to great lengths
to ensure that he and his siblings kept their undocumented status
quiet. The rallies were in response to an anti-immigrant measure
passed in the House of Representatives that would have ramped
up enforcement measures and deportations.
“It made me realize how dangerous it was to reveal this secret,”
said Chavez. “The idea of family separation…I couldn’t live in
the United States without my mom.”
This early introduction to activism impacted Chavez’s college
and career decisions. He had always been a bright student in
school. He excelled in academics and also exhibited athleticism,
which he still credits with helping him stay disciplined.
When it came time to apply for college, he knew his status would
pose financial difficulties, so he hustled to find the money he would
need to attend. When he graduated from high school, Chavez
had managed to win $14,000 in private scholarships to help fund

11

his academic career at University of California, Berkeley. It was a
remarkable feat that showcased his tenacious spirit.
In college Chavez got involved with the undocumented youth
movement, serving as the co-chair of Rising Immigrant Scholars
through Education (RISE). When President Obama made his
historic announcement on the creation of DACA, Chavez and
RISE provided support to students who wanted to come out of
the shadows. They worked with the law school’s immigration
lawyer to help students through the application process.
Ironically, when it came time to apply for himself, Chavez
realized he found greater joy in seeing others celebrate their
deferred action. “At the time, I was working three jobs and wasn’t
sure I would need DACA. I was happier for others because they
realized they could now work legally, they could do study abroad
programs,” he said. “Now that I am working for myself, having
DACA has been amazing. I’ve been able to not just get jobs that I
like, but also grow professionally. Having DACA is something I’m
really thankful for.”
Jesus’s professional growth and activism has indeed gained
him recognition in his young career. In 2013, he moved to
Washington, DC, to intern with the National LGBTQ Task
Force. Today, he works as the operations manager for PFLAG,
another LGBT civil rights organization. He also held posts
with the Latino GLBT History Project and attended the
Union=Fuerza LGBT Latino conference.
Most recently, Chavez received the “Next Generation Award”
by Washington’s LGBT magazine, Metro Weekly, for his
commitment to improving the lives of all people. He admits to
nearly rejecting the award because he didn’t think his experience
warranted the honor. He ultimately changed his mind, but when
speaking about the award, Chavez’s humility comes through.

12

“The Next Generation Award speaks to the
undocuqueer movement and how they are using
two identities to make themselves heard so we can
reach equality,” said Chavez. “There are so many
undocumented LGBT people who struggle, not only
because they’re undocumented, but because they’re
out and deal with lots of criticism. We need to keep
fighting for what we think is right.”
Jesus’s story is certainly exceptional, and his
accomplishments from college to now underscore the
value of his contributions. The world is sorely in need
of fighters like Chavez who are fiercely committed to
advocating for what is right. Take DACA away and we
lose a great talent. Chavez is an excellent example of
why we must keep fighting for the president’s executive
action on extended DACA and DAPA.

13

Nadia
At the age of four, Nadia Rivera and her parents embarked on a
journey familiar to most American immigrants: the search for a
better life. As many have done before us, Nadia’s parents arrived
in the United States full of dreams for their daughter. They
dreamed of opportunities for a better education and a safer place
to raise a family.
While in middle school, Nadia learned about the restriction she
faced as an undocumented youth.
“I understood that not everyone is treated equally because of
their status,” said Nadia. “You learn that you are not legally
part of the country, but you feel like you are just like every
other American.”
Nadia is now 18 years old and about to graduate from Bartlett
High School in Memphis, Tenn. She will attend Christian
Brothers University in the fall to pursue a degree in education.
None of this would be possible, however, without DACA.
“Thanks to DACA, I can go to college and be anything I want. I
would love to be a history teacher because history has helped me
understand who I am,” said Nadia.
Nadia is currently a volunteer at Latino Memphis, an NCLR
Affiliate that has supported youth like her. “Thanks to Latino
Memphis, I am able to go to college. They have motivated me to
be anything I want to be,” she said.
After receiving her work permit and her driver’s license through
DACA, Nadia also got a job at a clothing company.
“DACA gave me the power to move around and go to work
without having to worry about being deported,” said Nadia.
“Now I have a license, auto insurance, and a job to pay for my
expenses and save for college.”

14

It is clear that recipients of deferred action have contributed
tremendously to their communities. According to a national
survey of 1,402 DACA recipients, approximately 61 percent have
obtained a new job since receiving deferred action, and more than
half have opened their first bank account. DACA has resulted in
greater contributions to the workforce and economic integration.
But now it is time to also implement DAPA.

6,991 people have been granted DACA in
Tennessee as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

“[DAPA] is really necessary because parents are the backbone
of the family,” said Nadia. “How can they support their
children if they don’t know how long they will stay together?
If people would look around them, they would see an entire
population that is ready to work and ready for DAPA.”
Nadia and the other DACA recipients profiled in this series
demonstrate the benefits we all receive when immigrants can
fully realize their potential. They highlight the need to move
forward with the expansion of DACA and DAPA.

An estimated 11,000 people in Tennessee are
eligible for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

15

Carla
Carla Mena, a young aspiring American living in Raleigh,
North Carolina, who received DACA in 2012, continues to be
a committed and engaged member of her community. She is a
sitting member of the Wake Health Services Board of Trustees
and spends most of her spare time empowering youth through
her work on the Youth Council at El Pueblo, Inc. This NCLR
Affiliate taught Carla about the importance of helping Latinos
achieve positive social change by building consciousness, capacity,
and community action, a belief that has been part of their
mission for over 20 years.
Most recently, thanks to her hard work and determination,
Carla was promoted to Bilingual Project Coordinator, a fulltime position at Duke University’s Global Health Institute.
Now that she is a permanent employee, Carla enjoys an array
of benefits including, among others, health insurance and a
well-deserved salary increase. With these benefits, she can not
only increase monetary contributions to her family but also
contribute more to the local economy. These opportunities,
however, wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for her
new status resulting from DACA.
Carla recalls that she first learned about DACA on June 15,
2012. This date had a special significance to her and her family,
as it marked the 10th anniversary of their arrival to the United
States. “I had recently graduated from college, and learning
about this opportunity was a relief,” she said. “The first question
I had was, when can I apply? My family and I hugged and cried
from the emotion and the opportunity that this represented.”
Today those memories are bittersweet, particularly because
Carla fears that her parents—as well as thousands of other
parents in the same situation—cannot join her in living the
American Dream.

16

Although Carla’s story represents the reality that hundreds
of thousands of young DACA recipients currently face, it
also corroborates an undeniable fact: DACA works. This
program’s effectiveness suggests that the implementation of
DAPA could have an even greater impact on our country’s
economy and workforce.

23,855 people have been granted DACA in
North Carolina as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

DAPA would provide opportunities for millions of skilled
immigrants to work in fields where they can earn and
contribute more. If DACA recipients have demonstrated in
just three years what this program can do for communities
like Raleigh, perhaps it’s time to consider something more
stable. As Carla puts it, “Temporary programs are helpful,
but a more permanent and more inclusive solution could
be better.” Carla’s story attests to the social and economic
benefits of administrative relief, however, the overhaul of
our immigration policies remain a critical task that congress
must undertake.

An estimated 33,000 people in North Carolina are
eligible for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

17

Joel

Joel Sati, center

Last summer, Joel Sati landed the opportunity of a lifetime. The
22-year-old student originally from Nairobi, Kenya, had been
accepted into a summer research program hosted by Stanford
University and would spend the next eight weeks furthering his
interests in political philosophy and immigration theory under
the mentorship of some of the brightest scholars in his field.
The City College of New York (CCNY)-Stanford summer
exchange program invites CCNY’s most talented students to
spend a summer on the sunny Palo Alto campus conducting
graduate-level research. Joel was one of ten students invited to
participate in this highly selective experience. He was also one of
two recipients of DACA who were selected.
“[It was] an awesome experience,” Joel said. “The ability to sit
with preeminent individuals in the field and have their feedback
gave me a tremendous opportunity to grow in the field and
develop high-quality work.”
But if there is something more impressive than Joel’s academic
resume, it’s his story. Rewind the clocks a few years and we’d be
meeting a different Joel.

18

He’d be a high school student reeling from the
discovery of his undocumented status just a few
weeks shy of graduation. Facing a new set of
financial roadblocks, he would no longer be a
college-bound senior but rather one facing a life
of uncertainty, his college and career aspirations
shelved because of his immigration status.
After taking some time off from school, he tried
again and enrolled at Montgomery College, but only
for one class. “I wasn’t planning on graduating,”
said Sati. “I wanted to see if school was the right fit
and just wanted to take a philosophy class.”
That class proved worthwhile. By his second
semester at Montgomery, Joel was enrolled full
time and was a member of the Renaissance
Scholars Program. Outside the classroom, he was
actively involved in the push for the Maryland
DREAM Act and advocating for comprehensive
immigration reform with the organization United
We Dream. His activism was spurred by the
“undocu-friendly” community he had discovered at
Montgomery College.
In June 2012, his activism was met with a huge
triumph. From the steps of the White House
Rose Garden, President Obama announced the
creation of DACA, ushering in new hope and a
new beginning for so many caught in a broken
immigration system and denied an opportunity to
thrive in this great nation.
For Joel, the impact of receiving DACA was lifechanging. After graduating from Montgomery
College as a Phi Theta Kappa honor student,
he was accepted into the Skadden Arps Honors
Program in Legal Studies at CCNY. Today, the
philosophy major juggles a full course load and an
internship at an immigration law firm in Harlem.

19

“[DACA] had a far-reaching effect,” said Joel.
“Since moving to New York, I’ve been able to get
really amazing research opportunities. Next fall, I’ll
be applying to Ph.D. programs in philosophy and
hope to one day teach at the college level.”
Though DACA has opened a number of doors for
Joel, he is mindful of the work that still needs to
be done to fix our broken immigration system and
ensure that everyone has a success story to share.
He’d like to remind lawmakers in Congress who are
working to undo administrative relief the following:
“The immigration system, as it is, is poorly
constructed and leads to horrible conditions for
many families. I know of a lot of undocumented
people—both kids and parents—who do a lot for
the better of their communities [but] get such a raw
end of that deal.”

20

Katherine

Katherine Perez, far right

When Katherine Perez arrived in the United States from
Colombia in 2005, she had one goal in mind: to get a great
education that would pave the way to a better life. Her parents
made the tough decision to leave their country after her mom
got a job offer in the United States, the “land of opportunity.”
Yet soon after settling in, the Perez family was met with a harsh
reality: the attorney overseeing their immigration case had fled
the country, their paperwork and savings in tow.
Despite this setback, the Perez family was determined to move
forward. Little by little, the family worked to rebuild their lives in
Maryland. While her parents worked, Katherine poured herself
into her schoolwork, taking honors courses in middle school and
participating in the International Baccalaureate program at her
high school. Though she thrived academically, her immigration
status put her at an extreme disadvantage.
“I was very dependent on what my parents could help with and
provide for me. [With] no money of my own, unable to drive and
attend events and school programs—I felt as if everyone else my
age was ahead of me, and I was falling behind every day more and
more,” said Katherine.
When the college application period rolled around, the legal
and financial barriers multiplied. It quickly became clear
that the road to a college degree would be challenging and
extremely costly.

21

With help from supportive mentors, Katherine obtained a private
scholarship that enabled her to enroll as a full-time student at
Montgomery College and work toward an associate’s degree. But
economic difficulties at home meant she’d also have to juggle a
part-time job to help support her two younger sisters.
As much as she tried, mounting pressures from school and work
often led Katherine to question whether her degree was worth
the hardship. Would the barriers of being undocumented ever
be lifted?
On June 15, 2012, she got her answer by way of President
Obama’s announcement of the DACA program. Though initially
hesitant, Katherine set her fears aside, submitted her application,
and hoped for the best.
Today, the 22-year-old DACA recipient is a student at the
University of Maryland. Since receiving DACA, Katherine
has found a steady job and transferred to the University of
Maryland, College Park, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s
degree in science. Thanks to DACA, she now looks to her future
with renewed hope and resolve.
“I have a job and I am in the process of getting my driver’s license.
I can now save money to pay for next semester and help out at
home with the expenses. I feel more empowered and in charge of
my life,” said Katherine.
Though these stories echo the power of DACA, they also echo
the voice of an immigrant community eager to contribute to
the progress and prosperity of the nation. Eager to prove the
narrative of the American Dream is alive and well, and within
reach. Katherine would like to remind those in Congress
seeking to repeal DACA: “Even though we were not born
in this land, we have grown to love and respect the national
symbols, and to pledge allegiance to the flag. We are here not
to bleed out the country, but to make it a better one and to
contribute to [its] well-being.”

22

Maria
When Maria Pacheco lived in Mexico as a young girl, she only saw
her father once a year during vacations from his job at a nursery
in Northeast Ohio. During the years of separation, Maria’s dream
was to have her family together again. Fourteen years ago, that
dream seemed to be coming true when Maria and her mother
came to the United States to be reunited as a family.
For years, Maria’s parents were involved in the community
and attended weekly meetings at HOLA, a community-based
organization in Painesville, Ohio. It was at one of HOLA’s
meetings that Maria learned about DACA. She remembers that
Tuesday night clearly since the meeting room was packed with
community members eager to learn about President Obama’s
announcement on administrative relief. Maria immediately
applied for DACA.
“When I received my DACA documents in the mail, I remember
they said ‘authorized to work.’ I wanted to work so badly. I applied
everywhere,” said Maria. “I finally was hired at a store in the mall.
I was using my ID card with my name on it and I was so happy to
work there, just like any other teenager.”
Later she worked at a local pizzeria to avoid the long ride to the
mall. She worked diligently for two years and was promoted to
assistant manager. Many Latino families became clients after
Maria started working at the pizzeria, helping the business
flourish. They were relieved to find someone who could speak to
them in their native language.
Maria’s ability to bring in customers who otherwise would have
struggled to order their food was possible because of the work
permit she obtained through DACA. According to the White
House Council of Economic Advisers, the president’s executive
actions would increase the gross domestic product by $90–$210
billion, signifying a major boost to the economy. Maria’s case is a
real-life example of how that happens.

23

DACA has changed Maria’s life. Since receiving it, she has
obtained a job, is able to pay her taxes, and she will soon attend
Lakeland Community College. Maria recently became president
of the HOLA youth program and plans to engage and empower
other Latino students like her. In May, Maria will also receive a
teaching certificate from the Auburn Career Center. It will allow
her to work with students as she pursues her career in education.
Maria has already been offered a job working with young
students during the summer.

3,532 people have been granted DACA in Ohio as
of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

“I always wanted to be a teacher. Teachers are role models who
contribute to this nation,” said Maria. “Immigrants, like teachers,
have a lot to offer to our country” she said.
There are still millions of families waiting for the extension of
DACA and the implementation of DAPA. Maria’s story is one
example of how these programs can create a positive impact in
the community and the economy. The administration continues
to push for the implementation of these programs, and Maria
hopes the momentum doesn’t stop.
“I want to tell the president to keep trying, to not give up!” said
Maria. “I believe in you, President Obama; my parents should be
next. I want to keep my family together.”

An estimated 8,000 people in Ohio are eligible for
the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

24

Ana
Activism can take on many forms. For some, it takes the form
of community organizing or leading demonstrations. For
others, that activism might take place online or at the voting
booth. For Ana Angeles, a 30 year-old DACA recipient from
Orange County, California, that activism has taken place
in her home assisting would-be DACA recipients with their
applications. It’s something she has taken great pride in doing.
While she never set out to serve as an advocate, it was during
the experience of applying for DACA that she realized she had
something to offer her community.
Ana has lived in the United States since she was 11. Her
parents both left jobs at a university in Mexico in search of
better lives for Ana and her younger sister.
As a student in the United States, Ana flourished. Indeed, as
an outstanding member of the TEACH Academy, a high
school program that preps future teachers, she was eligible to
apply for a full scholarship to Vanguard University, a private
Christian institution.
Ana ultimately graduated with a degree in business and with
minors in math, religion, and accounting. She was excited
to begin her career, but like so many young people in her
position, she had to put those dreams on hold because of her
immigration status. While she searched for a job, economic
realities soon set in and she was forced to take one at a fast
food joint. This would go on until the president announced the
creation of the DACA program.

25

Karina

Karina (left), Representative Chris Van Hollen (D–MD), and
Rosa, Program Manager for NCLR Affiliate Latin American
Youth Center

The most recent snow storm to hit the Washington, DC, area
could not stop Karina Velasco, a 25-year-old DACA recipient,
from meeting with her congressional representatives and
advocating for administrative relief. Since congressional offices
were closed during National Latino Advocacy Days, Karina
rescheduled her meetings to ensure Congress heard her story.
Her persistence comes from years of advocating for an
opportunity to experience the American dream. Throughout
her life Karina witnessed her parents’ struggle, perseverance,
and hard work. Her mother cleaned restaurants and houses
while also being a full-time mother. Her father held two jobs
in construction and housekeeping to make ends meet. Their
encouragement and daily sacrifices helped Karina make the
choice to focus on her education.
“My mother always told me that education was the path to
success, so I decided to become a social worker to advocate for
those in need,” said Karina.

26

In 2012 she celebrated the president’s DACA announcement,
and gathered the paperwork needed to apply. She also helped
fill out hundreds of applications for other DREAMers who
were eligible to apply for DACA. Since Karina received DACA,
she has obtained a driver’s license, finished community college,
transferred to a four-year university, and obtained a job. Having
the job allows her to enter the workforce, pay taxes, and help
others.
“Without DACA it would have been harder to accomplish this
success. I can finally contribute to my country’s economy and lift
some of my parents’ economic burdens,” said Karina.
This week, Karina met with her elected officials to highlight how
well DACA works by demonstrating that she is an example of the
program’s success.
Like Karina, there are millions of other young Americans who
need Congress to stand up for administrative relief rather than
deny them the opportunity to contribute to the country and
pursue the American dream.
Since receiving DACA two years ago, Ana has found work
at a local education company as a program manager. It was
a promotion from the community marketer position she had
before. Having DACA made her eligible for the more substantive,
full-time position.
Ana’s willingness to help others navigate the DACA application
process, which requires preparation, is what makes her advocacy
so remarkable. She is very busy and has always assumed great
responsibility as the oldest of her two other siblings. When she
started her own application process, she was appalled at the
huge fees many lawyers were asking for as payment to assist

27

with applying. Convinced that these lawyers were just taking
advantage, Ana decided she would save her money and apply
by herself. Through diligent research and organization, her
dedication and commitment paid off eight months later.
In the two years since receiving DACA, Ana has helped
friends and family successfully navigate the process, but like
many advocates, she still asks herself what else she can do.
It’s a question that has come up a lot as her renewal period
approaches. Ana is still figuring out how to answer that question,
but whatever the answer is, her future certainly looks bright and
includes the pursuit of an advanced degree.
In the meantime, Ana has a message for those in Congress who
seek to undo DACA: “All we want to do is the right thing, to
work, and to contribute. I love this country and all that it has
given me. Just give us the chance to show you.”

28

Maria
Though Maria Garcia has lived in the United States for 20 years,
it is only during the past couple that the pursuit of the American
dream seemed within reach.
In 1995, Maria’s mother fled Mexico to escape an abusive and
alcoholic husband. She brought the three youngest of her seven
children to Delaware. Maria was the baby. Maria’s uncle had
gone there for work in the 1980s, so it seemed like a natural place
for Maria’s mother to take her family.
Maria was an excellent student. She excelled at all her subjects,
especially her favorites: math and reading. It was during a visit
from mentors in middle school that she decided what her future
plans would entail. Maria told her counselors that she wanted to
go to college.
Despite her undocumented status, Maria secured assurances
from the University of Delaware that she could apply. The
exorbitant costs of higher education, however, almost kept her
from attending. Maria’s status made her ineligible for any federal
financial aid. Even most private loans were not an option, as
many require legal permanent resident status.
With the help of friends and family and her tenacious spirit,
Maria was able to land a full scholarship. It was exciting
news, but her undocumented status would rear its head again
throughout college and after.

29

1,209 people have been granted DACA in
Delaware as of March 31, 2015.
Source: USCIS

“I had in my mind that by the time I graduated I would have my
papers. But that was not the case,” said Garcia.
Maria graduated in 2005 and was ready to start her life.
Armed with a double major and a willingness to contribute,
her immigration status cut her dreams short, keeping her from
finding substantive work. She took a job as a cashier to make
ends meet. Maria had also started a master’s program, but her
meager earnings made it difficult to pay tuition. Eventually she
was forced to drop out. Maria had often questioned why she even
went to college, but she also held on to hope that things would
get better and that one day she would get her papers.
In 2012 that hope proved worthwhile. That year, President
Obama announced the formation of the DACA program. By
May of 2013, Maria had received her permit and she was on her
way to making her dreams come true.
Maria still recalls the day she heard the news, which came from
her cousin.
“She was like, ‘Oh my god! You won’t believe it!’ I really
didn’t. My whole family was calling and texting. It was very
exciting news.”

30

Upon receiving her permit, Maria immediately started job
hunting in her field. She also started researching masters
programs. By October, she found work as a domestic violence
coordinator at the Latin American Community Center, an
NCLR Affiliate.
For Maria, DACA has truly been transformative.
“I’m able to get a [driver’s] license; It gives me more stability with
my work,” said Garcia. “It just improves my life so much. I’m also
in the process of buying a house now, which was something we
couldn’t do before.”
Maria’s not finished yet. Her future plans include finishing her
advanced degree program in mental health therapy at Widener
University. Eventually she plans on working toward a PhD.
None of this would be possible without DACA and without
a commitment from policymakers to improve immigrant
lives. Maria has message to those in Congress trying to block
administrative relief for others like her: “Give us a chance.
Do more research on how our workforce is going to help the
economy and put less focus on the negative things always said
about immigrants. That’s not who we are.”

An estimated 2,000 people in Delaware are eligible
for the current DACA program.
Source: Migration Policy Institute

31

Emilio

Emilio Vicente (in blue) with Eva Longoria (left), NCLR
President and CEO, Janet Murguía, and MSNBC anchor, Jose
Diaz-Balart (right) at the 2013 NCLR Annual Conference

Emilio grew up in North Carolina and is currently a senior at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. We met him back
in 2010 when he was regularly traveling from North Carolina to
Washington, DC, to share his story with his senators and urging
them to support the DREAM Act. Emilio became a regular at
his senators’ events; the senators and their staff knew that he was
there to deliver a message of the DREAM Act’s implications
for him and for his state. He continued his advocacy efforts for
immigration reform, joining NCLR during the National Latino
Advocacy Days in 2011, and serving as a member of the NCLR
Líderes Youth Advisory Committee. He also participated in a town
hall panel at the NCLR Annual Conference in New Orleans
alongside NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía and Eva
Longoria.
During this time, Emilio has worked at competitive internships
in Seattle and Washington, DC, and has raised money for
scholarships for undocumented youth. Last year, Emilio ran
for UNC student body president and drew the attention of
national press in doing so. The New York Times reporter who
spent time with him during the campaign described Emilio as a
“one-man whirlwind of engagement.”

32

On what DACA has meant for him,
Emilio said:
“DACA for me means not being
under the threat of deportation at
any moment and being able to use
my degree once I graduate. I can also
sleep better at night knowing that
my brothers and sisters-in-law, who
qualify for DAPA, won’t be deported
and separated from their families at
any moment. We need a humane
immigration bill that is permanent
but until then, DACA and DAPA will
protect many of us from the separation
of our families.”
Once he graduates in the spring,
Emilio hopes to continue advocating
for immigration reform in Washington,
DC. Receiving DACA will allow him to
put his incredible talent and experience
to use—so Washington better look out!

33

Notes

34

@NCLR |

| www.nclr.org

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