Hi John,

I discovered my passion for organizing in 2013 while interning for a political candidate. Today,  I am co-leading the next generation of progressive leaders as the Texas Rising Deputy Director – but my road to TFN has been far from easy.

When I was just six years old, I moved to Texas from Mexico and grew up undocumented in the U.S.

This meant growing up knowing that at any moment, ICE could knock on our front door and take away the lives and the dreams we were building here.

Thankfully, after years of work by undocumented youth and immigrants across the country, President Obama signed an executive order passing DACA, allowing us to flourish in and contribute to our communities. My parents taught me from a young age that my education was the one thing that could never be taken away and, although I didn’t qualify for scholarships or federal aid, DACA gave me the opportunity to continue my education and graduate from college – unlocking doors to internships and jobs that would allow me to continue building and chasing those dreams.

Earlier this week on April 21 – Day 39 of social distancing, 88 days from my DACA expiration date – I received a letter approving my permit renewal. Looking back on this process, I feel so many emotions. I feel relieved to know I can keep going for a little longer… Empowered to keep fighting for my community… Tired of putting up with a system designed to work against us.

But mostly I feel privileged. Privileged to have this opportunity when many people aren’t so fortunate – those who are still living in the shadows, who continue to risk their lives, who are being held in cages.

I'm sharing my story with you today – as part of Texas Rising’s Immigration Week of Action – to highlight the critical importance of this fight. In the face of a global health crisis, TFN and Texas Rising’s work to protect our state’s most vulnerable has never been more important.

Right now, Texas Rising students are hosting virtual phone banks in communities across the state to address immigrant rights and safety during this pandemic – demanding that vulnerable people in immigration detention centers be released so they can practice the same social distancing and health precautions so vital to their well-being and to us all.

Every day, I am committed to doing what I can to fight for all of us. I hope you’ll join me and do the same – none of this work would be possible without your help.

John, in these moments of heightened concern, people are relying on TFN to be there to speak out, stand up,  and defend our rights and shared values – and we’re counting on supporters and activists like you to help make sure we can keep fighting for social justice.

So please, only if you can, make a special gift right now to defend the values we both hold dear during these uncertain times and always.

Although we are at risk every day, DACA recipients like me are at the forefront of progressive battles in Texas. We will continue fighting the good fight each and every day – alongside both undocumented people and citizens – because this is our home and we’re here to stay.

Thank you for your support and activism. Please take good care of yourself.

Onward,

Osmara Santana
Texas Rising Deputy Director