American Dreamers Can’t Wait Any Longer
February 13, 2018
More than 850 American Dreamers lose their DACA protections every week and are being forced back into the shadows. The clock is ticking as every day without Dream Act legislation is inflicting more pain and uncertainty to the lives of thousands of young immigrants. This week, Republicans in Congress can take action and protect our neighbors, friends, and colleagues from losing their jobs, driver’s licenses, and ability to support their families.
Dreamers are Americans in every way but on paper, and they deserve the opportunity to continue their contributions to the only country they know as home. Trump and Republicans need to stop playing with their lives by holding them hostage for their anti-immigrant agenda.
Here are a few stories of the American Dreamers whose lives depend on the passage of a Dream Act:
Javier Gamboa, Washington, D.C.
Javier came to the United States from Mexico when he was 11. Javier is the first and only full time staffer who is a Dreamer at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Abby came to the United States from Mali when she was 5 years old.
Adrian came to the United States from Chile when he was 3 years old. He’s a student and a tennis coach.
Paul came to the United States from South Africa when he was 5 years old. He’s a math student at California State University, and plans to go to medical school.
Kathy came to the United States from El Salvador when she was 8 years old.
Omrie came to the United States from Jamaica when he was 1 year old. After DACA he got a scholarship and at age 27 he is now going to college.
Ximena came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when she was 9 years old. Her dream is to join the U.S. Army.
Nelson came to the United States from Honduras when he was 14 years old. Melgar works now as a community liaison with a state assemblyman.
Kyungmin came to the United States from South Korea when he was 8 years old. He entered into a six-year contract with the U.S. Army through a military program called Military Accession Vital to the National Interest.
Victor came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when he was 2 years old. Now, he's 19 and has called Rockford home for the last 14 years.
Samuel came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when he was 5 years old. Cervantes and others have marched to Senator Cornyn’s office to demand passing a legislation to protect Dreamers.
Juan Carlos Rivera, South Carolina
Juan came to the United States with his parents. He is a DACA recipient whose family owns a business and employs other DACA workers.
Lezzia came to the United States from Canada with his parents when she was 6 years old. Lezzia graduated from Northwestern and works in Washington, D.C.
Emmanuel came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when he was 2 years old. Emmanuel has two jobs and goes to college at Armstrong State University.
Carlos came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when he was 7 years old.
Harminder came to the United States from India with his parents when he was 6 years old. He enlisted in the military.
Evelyn came to the United States from Mexico with her parents when he was 6 months old. She’s an ecology student at the University of California.
Hector Rivera Suarez, North Carolina
Hector came to the United States from Mexico with his parents when he was 8 years old. He received two scholarships to cover his full tuition costs at Guilford College.
Edison came to the United States with his parents when he was 13 years old. Suasnavas has a master's degree in molecular biology, and works for a company that tests for cancer in patients samples.
Nellie came to the United States when she was 5 years old. Gonzalez is entering her final semester at John Tyler Community College before transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University.
Carlos’ family moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic after his father passed away from cancer so his mother could build a better life and opportunities. He is a member of Pennsylvania’s Commission on Latino Affairs.
Parthiv came to the United States from India when he was 5 years old. He recently became the first DACA recipient admitted in the New Jersey bar.
Yurianna is a biomedical researcher. She was the first DACA recipient to receive a Ph.D.
Jesus is a Houston-area paramedic who worked nonstop for six days in the wake of Hurricane Harvey to save American lives.
Ellie came to the United States from Mexico with her parents when she was 4 years old. She became the first undocumented member of the Democratic National Committee in 2017.