Reyna Montoya, a DACA recipient, shares her journey of fear and uncertainty as the fate of the program hangs in the balance with the return of President-elect Donald Trump. Having fled violence in Tijuana and illegally immigrated to the U.S. as a child, Montoya’s life changed when she received approval for DACA in 2012. The Obama-era program allowed her and hundreds of thousands of others to live and work legally in the U.S.
Now, as Trump prepares to reassume the presidency, DACA recipients are once again bracing for potential deportation threats. With a legal challenge to DACA still pending, the future of the program remains uncertain. Many recipients, including Montoya, fear the possibility of family separations and are rushing to renew their permits out of caution.
Despite the challenges, DACA recipients are mobilizing to protect themselves and their community. Organizations like Aliento and United We Dream are advocating for immigrant rights and urging Americans to offer sanctuary. While the Biden administration is limited in its ability to help at this stage, they are being called upon to use every tool available to protect and defend as many DACA recipients as possible.
With DACA’s fate potentially heading to the Supreme Court, the immigrant rights movement is preparing for any outcome, ready to respond with demonstrations and support for those facing deportation threats. As the future of DACA hangs in the balance, DACA recipients like Montoya are holding onto hope and preparing for the challenges ahead.
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