Dear friend,

In the wake of the recent court ruling against DACA, I am feeling frustrated, disappointed, and angry. This ruling is cruel and threatens the future and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of DACA recipients, DACA eligible youth, and our loved ones.

In moments like these, it's easy to let hopelessness creep in. For many DACA recipients, like me, this journey has been a relentless battle. We’ve been fighting for our hopes, our dreams, and our very presence in this country for decades.

The years of legal limbo in the courts have taken an emotional toll on us, from feeling moments of hope to enduring the weight of despair. We've had to dig deep to find the strength to keep going — and we have. Immigrant youth have led the way, and together, we’ve pressed on.

If you take one message from this email, let it be this: This country is our home, we are here to stay.

We can keep our dreams alive and realize the futures we envision, but only if we remain united and committed to securing a pathway to citizenship.

So, we must all band together — immigrant communities, policymakers, and allies must join us as we harness every ounce of our strength to secure the long-overdue permanent protections we need.

It’s an honor to stand alongside each and every one of you, from coast to coast, all united in our mission to ensure we can all have the freedom to thrive in this country that is our home.

I remain hopeful because of our collective strength. Together, we will persevere.

With unwavering hope and determination,

Diana Pliego 
Strategist, Federal Advocacy
National Immigration Law Center

P.S. You can call on Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship by clicking here.