“It just seems like we are punishing individuals who might be running away from violence, like my dad once did,” said Montoya.

For Mario Montoya, the threats in the proposal are especially terrifying. While his status as a DACA recipient safeguards him from deportation, that protection isn’t guaranteed.

Montoya noted that the Final Rule from the White House, while a step forward, fell short of expectations by not including access to Medicaid or funding under the CHIP and Science Act, as was initially proposed last year.

As a DACA recipient, Montoya said he was excited about the implications this rule will have for the health of many people in his situation across Arizona and the country.

Reyna Montoya is CEO of Aliento, a local advocacy group that works with immigrants. She says the rules will be helpful, but more needs to be done, as DACA’s future is uncertain. 

Students across the country are working to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. 

The accomplishments of TheDream.US graduating scholars were celebrated on Friday evening at a graduation and stole ceremony.

With the federal aid application season underway, Aliento, a leading voice for undocumented youth, DACA, and mixed immigration-status families, is drawing attention to a major financial aid application problem: mixed-status immigration families are struggling to apply for federal student aid. 

Aliento, a leading voice for undocumented youth, DACA, and mixed immigration status families, hosted its annual Education Day (“E-Day”) this past Wednesday at the Arizona State Capitol, bringing together more than 300 students, educators, and allies to engage with state legislators on vital issues impacting Arizona's youth and immigrant community.

Teach For America Arizona alumni Reyna Montoya and Jose Patiño recognized for leading efforts to pass a state law reinstating in-state college tuition for Arizona students regardless of immigration status.

Judge Andrew Hanen expands the original injunction of the DACA program to cover Biden’s effort to codify the policy with the final rule DACA. Initial applications are closed. Over 100,000 Dreamers are stuck at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as they cannot process their applications.

A person’s culture, race, language, and sexual identity significantly affect their mental health and experience in finding adequate care for their mental health.

Once again, our immigrant families, friends, and neighbors are being attacked without regard for their well-being or the well-being of our communities.

At Aliento, we all applaud the recent announcement by the White House to provide healthcare coverage to DACA recipients; healthcare needs to be accessible and affordable for everyone, including our immigrant communities.

February is Black History Month, and this year we wanted to highlight important historical figure, inspirational figures, book recommendations our staff chose, local Black-Owned business, and impactful organizations that support black communities.

Education Day 2023 was a success! Close to 200 students from schools all over the valley charted an exciting new path for Aliento and the state of Arizona.

Aliento was awarded the UnidosUS Capital Award for Public Service for our efforts on passing Prop. 308! Our founder and CEO, Reyna Montoya was in Washington D.C. to accept the award on behalf of our organization.

We have an update on Prop. 308. Students who are currently paying the "Non-Resident Arizona High School Graduates" tuition rates at state universities such as ASU should have had their tuition automatically changed to in-state tuition rates.