DACA 7th Year Anniversary

Mesa, Arizona – Reyna Montoya, Aliento Founder & CEO issued the following statement today on the 7th year anniversary of DACA:

June 15, 2019 marks the 7th year anniversary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Instead of celebration we hold heavy hearts and a bittersweet taste. While current applicants can continue to renew, due to Trump’s decision to rescind the program, we see many young people who are being left undocumented because they were too young to apply.  

“Now more than ever it is important that we as DACA recipients take a moment to reflect that DACA was only possible because youth voices were willing to share their stories and provide a vision of what is possible. In these moments where some politicians continue to play with our future, it is important to remember that you are not alone and that your voice matters. If you are an ally, now more than ever, we need you to step up and get involved and be part of solutions.”

We at Aliento are encouraging DACA recipients and the larger community who cares about immigrants to do these three things:

1. Remember to check in with your loved ones. The constant news around immigration can provide a lot of uncertainty and anxiety. Remember to be there for one another and build community!

2. Aliento would like to remind people that USCIS is not receiving new applications. Current DACA recipients can still renew their deferred action. We recommend current DACA recipients to file for renewal between 150-120 days (per USCIS protocol) before the expiration date of their coverage to ensure there isn’t a gap between employment eligibility. Need to renew, we can help you!

3. Stay informed and share with others about the latest news. Sign up here to get news from us.

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Aliento is a community organization that is DACA, undocumented and youth-led. We are directly impacted people who are invested in the well being, emotional healing, and leadership development of those impacted by the inequalities of lacking an immigration status.

#DACA #Dreamers #Immigration #Immigrants