DACA: Dreamers Stay, Border Wall Proceeds
SEPT. 8, 2017, The DACA March took place in Cedar Falls. DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. This immigration policy allowed these individuals who came to the U.S. illegally, as children, to no longer face the fear of deportation. Within this policy, immigrants are eligible to work, create businesses, and attend colleges and universities.
On OCT. 8, 2017, President Trump released a hard line immigration reform with Dreamers in the United States. The reform asks for the Southern Border wall to be funded with Tax Payers Dollars, a crackdown on Central American minors entering the United States, and restrictions to federal grants on ‘sanctuary cities.’ A sanctuary city refers to any city that protects immigrants, two primary cities are Los Angeles and San Francisco.
President Trump has yet to vote on a Clean Dream Act, and public figures have since then begun to speak up about the issue. Ashley Sanchez, 22, and other students at the University of Northern Iowa have made trips to the Capitol in Des Moines to talk to legislators about their concerns.
There are approximately 241,000 DACA-eligible students who are currently enrolled in college in the United States. Sanchez is one of the many University of Northern Iowa students who advocates for DACA.
Sanchez, is the president of the student organization known as Panthers for DREAM Iowa. Her student organization is made up of 30 members who are dedicated to protect undocumented students and stride to help improve their access to education.
“Growing up, my parents were undocumented and I could never imagine growing up in Iowa without my family,” said Sanchez.
She will be the first person in her family to graduate with two bachelors degrees and will continue to pursue a PhD. Sanchez is one of the many students who wake up and have this be their reality. “If I don’t speak for these students who will?,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez wakes up everyday to a full inbox of undocumented students reaching out for help. She updates their group Facebook page with President Trump’s executive orders and helps families in the Cedar Valley create safety plans in case of a ICE raid or if one of their family members were to be arrested.
“I’ve held many informational hearings in Waterloo,” said Sanchez. “I try to help members of the community exercise their rights in situations that involve the police or ICE.”
Its important to know your rights, history has proven that through and through. Immigrants in the Cedar Valley have resources and people like Sanchez to reach out to for support.
“We belong to be in Iowa, and we as an immigrant community make Iowa great.”
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