Hello! I have something to tell you all--I am a DACAmented student.
What does this mean? I am an undocumented immigrant who has temporary protection from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created via executive order under the Obama administration.
I was brought to the country illegally when I was a year old and have spent the past 17 years of my life trying to navigate through the uncertainty that is living without papers. For 17 years I have been in the dark, trembling in fear whenever I saw a police car and working my hardest in school even when a professional career seemed unreachable to me.
Applying to colleges has taught me that there is a large support system out there for students like myself. The numerous people who have guided me through the college application process have helped me realize that being DACAmented is not something that I have to hide or be ashamed of. It is not my fault that I was brought to the US illegally, and I am no less American than someone who was born here. The United States is my home.
I don’t know how long this protection will last but I will use every moment of my time here to learn, better myself, and pursue my dreams.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me!