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Dear John,

If you are reading this, I have been arrested.

I was a part of a group that staged a civil disobedience in Washington D.C. in order to send a message to Congress. Enough is enough. DACA recipients and our families deserve stability, dignity, and a pathway to citizenship.

For those who might not know me, my name is Denia Pérez. I am many things: a daughter, a sister, a tía, a proud San Francisco State alum, an immigration lawyer working for Immigrants Rising, and a DACA recipient. In 2018, I made news when I became the first undocumented immigrant to be admitted to the Connecticut Bar. I was able to accomplish this feat by working with my law professor and allies to change the rules so that others like me would be able to practice law in Connecticut. My decision to become the first undocumented person admitted to the Connecticut Bar was driven by the same desire to participate in this action: a desire to challenge and upend unjust policies and create a more equitable world for future generations of immigrants.
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Yesterday, the Fifth Circuit Court upheld Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling that DACA was illegal but allowed for the program to stay in place for its current recipients. The same court that struck down Roe v. Wade now holds power over my life as well as hundreds of thousands of other DACA recipients and our loved ones. Over the past ten years, DACA has enabled us to become essential workers through the pandemic, caretakers for families (both biological and chosen), and become integral parts of our communities. At the same time, many more have been excluded from DACA and have been unable to benefit from its protections.

As a DACA recipient and lawyer, I decided that I can no longer afford to watch from the sidelines as my life gets litigated and decided in politically biased courts. I have decided that it’s time to stop being a bystander and hope for a benevolent ruling. We, as directly impacted people and allies to directly impacted people, have the power and duty to pressure our elected officials to do their job. We’ve witnessed failed attempts at creating a pathway for DACA recipients and their families and it is long past due for Congress to take meaningful action.
immigrantsrising.org/donate
John, I ask you to stand in solidarity with me and my community. Here are three tangible actions you can take:
1. Call your federal representatives and ask them to take immediate action to support DACA recipients and their families. You can find your elected officials here. ([link removed])

2. Support Immigrants Rising as we empower undocumented folks with or without DACA to take charge of their own futures. I am proud that our organization has not forgotten about those left behind by this program and has continued to create resources and opportunities for all undocumented people. (immigrantsrising.org/donate)

3. Forward this email to a friend, colleague, or a loved one and ask them to get involved!

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your continued support.
immigrantsrising.org/donate
In solidarity,

Denia

Denia Pérez, Esq.
Legal Services Manager
Immigrants Rising

Please consider MAKING A DONATION ([link removed]) so we can continue supporting undocumented young people in achieving their educational and career goals and thriving in this country.

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