A year ago,
A year ago DACA was rescinded. Those of us who are eligible for the program stopped breathing for a second. Our only sense of security from deportation was suddenly gone. We were confused, frustrated, and most of all, heart broken.
But then something happened, we got angry, we protested, we wrote, we shared our stories, we did everything in our hands to prove just how much we deserve to be in this country. We stepped up and didn’t let anyone tell us we didn’t have a right to. While the negativity did get to us at times, our community grew stronger and we created networks to support each other. There were meetings, rallies, walkouts, and all kinds of demonstrations. At times it felt like nothing we did was getting through but we showed up and we made our voices loud.
A year later I look back and realize how, through all the negativity immigrants, DACA recipients or not, have been through this year, it’s been an important year in our lives. I had a classmate who I’ve never spoken to come up to me on the first day of class and say “hey, I didn’t get a chance to say this last year, but thanks for that panel, I learned a lot.” She was probably there for extra credit but SHE WENT. This year was the year we showed up and we forced those around us to listen. Maybe they cared, maybe they didn’t, but at the end of the day they heard us. They heard that we are here to stay, and they can’t tell us otherwise.
This year was a roller coaster filled with lawsuits and inhumane treatment of immigrants but thanks to all of those speaking out everywhere it has also brought light to how much we can do. Here’s to a year of fighting for our rights and for the fight we have to continue for a permanent solution!
