WHAT IS IT LIKE LIVING THROUGH THE DACA LIMBO? THE UNITED STATES' BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM THROUGH THE EYES OF A DACA RECIPIENT

by Diana Torres Ramirez, NCSP
​Case Manager for Project Libertad

Diana pictured with a student at one of Project Libertad's summer camp programs.

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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program put in place by then-president Obama, that allowed young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children to work legally and provided a temporary protection from deportation for two-year increments. We receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and a social security card, which allows us to find legal employment and get a driver’s license. It also provides an opportunity for us to breathe out in relief every once in a while.

For the past 12+ years, DACA has been through many ups and downs. Some believed that there would be a path to citizenship for DACA recipients, because why not? It would make sense to allow us to become US citizens. As a DACA recipient, you must have a clear criminal record, with no felonies, misdemeanors, etc., not pose a threat to public safety or national security, and have completed high school or have a GED. We have to answer the same questions every two years when we renew, update our files and applications, and pay over $600 in fees -- and that does not include the payment to a lawyer if you have one. Government administrations have come and gone and DACA still continues to be pushed aside, but brought up when politicians want to manipulate it for political reasons.

Diana (right) presents about mental health and social services to students in Norristown, PA.

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On September 5th, 2017, the Trump administration ended the DACA program, putting the future of over 800,000 DREAMers -- because that is who we are and what we are known as -- on the line.

At the time, I was 19 years old and entering my second year in college. I was preparing to submit my request for Advance parole (AP), which would have allowed me to study abroad. Advance parole is a travel document that allows certain non-U.S. citizens to travel outside of the United States. In other words, it is a permission slip from the government. There is always a chance for you to be rejected for AP, and you have to plan for it well in advance, because the processing time can take up to a year. I wanted to study abroad during my junior year and become a psychologist that could understand my clients on a deeper level, after gaining first-hand experiences and knowledge, but that never happened. 

With the news of DACA being terminated, many DREAMers rushed back to the US. Some were allowed back in, but others were not. I am pained for the DREAMers who were stuck in a country that they had no foundation in. They lost their homes, their families were separated, and they had to start over, all within days. 

Diana pictured at one of Project Libertad's summer camp programs.

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On a personal level, I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t understand the level of severity of this decision at the time. My EAD was valid until 2019, so I still had two years to work and two years of protection from deportation. I wondered why my father was angry and why my mother was upset. They would both tell me everything was going to be okay, and that we were going to continue to move forward as a family. My father took up extra jobs to pay my college tuition out of pocket, because he was scared I was going to lose my private scholarships or be charged as an international student. He was prepared to walk every step of the way by my side for me to finish my education.

In January 2018, we got the news that renewal applications would be received; however, no new DACA or AP applications would be accepted. Since then, litigation has continued, throwing us into a here-we-go-again cycle that continues to this day.

Whenever there is an update on DACA, I get a notification from my supervisor, Rachel Rutter, who has followed the journey of this deferred action with keen eyes. I keep up with the updates through a DREAMer page I follow on social media that provides resources to us when times get difficult. There is always a prick of anxiety that comes with the terms ‘DACA’ and ‘court’. It doesn't get easier to accept that at any moment, we can be stripped of our homes and hard work.

Without our work permits and social security cards, there is no stable job, and no income. Our skills, certifications, and education will be overlooked and set aside because of our immigration status. Our mental health has also been neglected. We tried to purchase health insurance coverage in May of 2024, but that only lasted about three months before suits were filed by several states that prevented us from accessing health insurance. Every time we take a hit in the courtroom, it adds to my stress and anxiety,  almost making me feel defeated. But then I think of the wonderful support we have nationally and the brave organizations and lawyers that stand up for us, and it brings hope.    

Now that I am older, I can say with confidence that, regardless of what happens with DACA, I can provide for my family and keep us moving forward. My family and I take it one day at a time, because we don’t see the benefit of thinking down the road when we are unsure of what tomorrow will bring with this administration.

At this moment, us being united and having that open communication with one another is key to keeping us afloat. I have met many kids, teenagers, and adults, who, if they had the chance, would take the opportunity of being a DACA recipient, because some relief is better than no relief, and that is something that we as DREAMers should not take for granted. I will forever be thankful for having the opportunity to be a DACA recipient. I am a proud DREAMer who has gained an education beyond my imagination, alongside the tools and skills to make it far, regardless of where I am in the world. We will not let this administration keep us in the dark and instill fear in us. We will keep moving forward, and we will do that with our families by our side. 

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About the Author: Diana is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist dedicated to promoting equity and justice in education. With expertise in addressing the unique needs of immigrant students, Diana advocates tirelessly for their rights and equal access to opportunities.