Xenophobia, there is not another word to describe why, President Donald Trump decided to end the DACA program. Almost one month ago, the life of most young immigrants turned upside down because of the government’s decision to take back the work permits and all the benefits DACA gives to about 800,000 ‘dreamers’.
On September 5th, I was having a lunch with a mexican friend, whom had crossed the border with his mother when he was 14 years old. While we are having lunch, he told me that he won a scholarship. Since my friend came to New York he has been working in restaurants and bars. Here this is a good way to make money. Since his arrival, he has been saving all his money for his college tuition and studying hard to be at the top of his class.
He has good, but, little memories about his hometown, Catemaco, located in Veracruz, in the south of Mexico. He remembers how the lake was, how his school was, and how his grandparents’s home was.12 years later, he cannot speak good spanish and does not know anything about his own country; not even a ranchera song or how to make a real mexican taco. He is almost “American”.
His family story is hard, he always keeps silent and says his mother is a hero and he wants the best for her. He never talks about how difficult it was crossing the border. When we finished lunch we said goodbye to each other and we gave each a big hug, in celebration of the new scholarship . At the same time most of the young immigrants in United States were terriffied about the possibility of having to return to their home country. Countries that they do not feel is home anymore.
According to the government if the recipients with permits with an expiration day of or before march 5th of 2018 can apply for renewal until october 5th. However, this renewal will be available for only two more years, leaving «dreamers» in uncertainty.
Leticia Cortes, comes from Mexico, has two kids, she came to United States when she was 10 years old. Now she is 26 and she supports her parents. Leticia can now apply for the renewal but she does not know if in two years she has to go back to Mexico.
«I am not to blame for being here, it’s my country, and my whole life is here. How can someone tell us that we can’t work anymore and we have to go back”, Leticia said.
Many organizations and congressman’s have been working on trying to extend the date of DACA’S expiration, and, to find solutions to the situation,but, the Government insists on saying no.
What argument can someone make to anyone that must leave their life, here, in the united states?, a life they did not choose, all because someone thinks they are not welcome in this country. When people came to this country at 3 or 6 years old, were they thinking in “stealing jobs” as they were crossed the border?.
Young men and women in United States are giving the best of themselves to improve their quality of life. Now, with DACA ending, their dreams of a better life is coming to a halt.
At the end of that September 5th my friend texted me that the scholarship was for an exchange program in China, he never answered back, he never applied to DACA. He cannot travel, he cannot go back to Mexico and for now, he cannot work with documents. It is a life in shadows, and now, many immigrants must go back to these shadows, for just one reason: hate
