John -- June 15 will mark nine years since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was launched -- protecting people like me, who came to the U.S. as children, from deportation and allowing us to work and come out of the shadows.
When the announcement of this program was made in 2012, it gave me hope that someday permanent protection would be achievable. But nine years later we’re still fighting to be recognized as human beings worthy of dignity and deserving of a secure future.
For me, not having a pathway to citizenship means I still live with the fear of my family being torn apart by deportation and being uncertain about my future in my home.
We need more than the temporary deportation relief DACA provides. We can no longer keep living in limbo. Now is the time for our nation to implement humane policies that protect us.
Thanks for all you do,
Cheska Mae Perez,
Organizer and DACA Recipient