"Tension, Irritability, and Anxiety.."
With the decision about DACA pending, there has been a lot of anxiety and uncertainty within our community. If you have a loved one that is being impacted by these coming decisions, we encourage you to check in on them. We asked members of the Aliento team how they are feeling during these times, and here are their responses.
Erick Garcia, Data Manager at Aliento
I’m tired. The past few months I’ve kept myself busy, trying not to think too much about the chaos and the SCOTUS decision regarding my own future as a DACA recipient. I’ve been trying to focus and listen to the solutions being proposed by the very people being oppressed, by the black community. That has been giving me hope to hang on to, to see my own strengths and that of our undocumented community. It’s not our first rodeo, and it won’t be our last. So regardless of the SCOTUS decision, I will not feel alone.
Deya Garcia, Student Organizer at Aliento
I woke up at 6 am to my alarm this morning but, honestly, I don’t know if I ever went to sleep last night. Tension, irritability, and anxiety have loomed over my spirit these past 24 hours. It’s been 8 years of DACA, 5 of which I’ve benefited from. Although it’s an anniversary that should be commemorated in some way, it’s currently a celebration that is plagued by the reminder that my education and my future in this country is uncertain.
Flor Canales, Intern at Aliento
Waiting for a decision on DACA has been extremely stressful and overwhelming at times. Whenever there is a potential decision on DACA, I wake up and immediately start scrolling through Twitter to see if there’s any news. It’s extremely worrisome to have to wait so long on a decision that will completely shape my life.
Although there is a small sense of relief when I see the words “No DACA decision today,” there is a sense of added stress knowing that we’re getting closer and closer to a decision. I think that this also serves as a reminder that DACAmented/ Undocumented folks deserve better. DACA, although a great starting point, has never been enough. We aren’t pawns in a political game; we are humans. This is a reminder that we need a comprehensive, inclusive and permanent act that includes many more undocumented people and offers a path towards citizenship.
Ultimately, it’s been hard to maintain a sense of hope, however it is still there. I have hope that regardless of the decision, we will collectively fight to ensure a better future for all undocumented folks.
Angelica Pacheco, 2019-2020 Aliento Fellow
As of right now I’m feeling a bit more calm since there was no decision but even knowing there hasn’t been a decision yet makes my anxiety go everywhere, and there’s been times where I just go blank and think about what could happen if it were to end. Some days are better than others, but some days I just feel hopeless, because I don’t know who to reach out to, and I feel alone, since most of my friends are undocumented, and some are citizens. It’s just hard trying to talk to someone about it when I feel privileged to even have this opportunity. I’m scared for myself and my family as if it were to end,it would put us in great danger and at risk of getting deported. It’s just a lot of mixed emotions.
Darian Benitez, 2019-2020 Aliento Fellow
SCOTUS is yet to make a decision about the DACA program. I have lived my entire life stuck in the inbetween of fear and hope, making this decision one of the most vital in my life. I can't help but shake at the thought that on Thursday morning, millions of others will lose the precious protection that they have used to try and create a life for themselves. I can't help but feel numb at the thought of not even being given the chance to prove my worth and my potential. The removal of DACA will destroy students, business owners, and families who have built and sustained this country.
To be an immigrant during these times is to live your days being exposed to real psychological trauma. There is so much to lose, so much riding on this decision. And the worst part is that it can be overwhelmingly easy to feel weak as we wait. We've waited our entire lives. Take a look around, we are all surrounded by people who could lose their dreams and hopes. We must stand united and in solidarity with those who have lost so much sleep over this imminent decision.
Jose Patiño, Education + Advocacy Director at Aliento
While constant DACA day decisions are stressful, fill me with anxiety and create sleepless nights, the years without a work permit, driver’s license, social security number and protection from deportation were extremely depressing. I have been able to purchase a home, continue my education and further my professional career because of the ability to work and live in this country without the fear of deportation. The constant thought of being pulled over, of your life being erased, of being sent to a country that you don’t know is heavy. I don’t have to look over my shoulder when police pull up behind me. While not perfect, the DACA program has allowed me to free part of my mind to live my American dream albeit two years at time.
Donate:
We are living in critical times, and we need your support more than ever. Please donate so we can continue supporting undocumented / DACAmented families.