Commentary: LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Tonight, Dozens of immigrant leaders from the NM Dream Team, immigrants’ rights organizations, and allies rallied outside U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce’s (District-2) office demanding he protect DACA & TPS in N.M.
Following the rally, immigrant youth and elected officials held a press conference calling on public officials around the state to publicly stand and fight for the proven successful programs.
August 15th, marked the 5th anniversary since the implementation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program –currently under threat of being dismantled by Texas Attorney General and 9 other Republican Attorney Generals unless the Trump administration phases-out the program by Sept. 5th.
Around the country, over 1 million people currently benefit from the DACA & TPS program.In NM alone, nearly 7 thousand people now live under the protection and benefits of DACA.
Tuesday’s rally came as part of the national day of action to protect DACA. More events around the country can be found at www.DefendDACA.com.
Lizzeth Sandoval, Las Cruces resident, member of NM Dream team & DACA beneficiary said:
“DACA provides my parents with peace of mind by knowing that I’m protected from deportation! The program also allows me to work, and to continue my education to become a nurse. Living near the border, there are Border Patrol agents that drive through our town and fly overhead. Without DACA, not only would I live under immediate threat of deportation, it would also prevent me from working to pay for my school and graduate.
“For the past 10 years, I’ve called NM my home and my family and I are #HereToStay! And for that same reason, we call on our Rep. Steve Pearce to defend DACA & TPS in our state. Over 1 million people depend on these vital programs, which allow them to work, and also with the ability to continue providing for their families.
“Today, the immigrant community is being heard loud and clear! And today we are certain that in the same way we were able to obtain DACA, through our organizing and people power, we will once again win and keep DACA & TPS in place.
Angélica Rubio, Community Organizer & N.M. Legislator (District-35) wrote:
“On this fifth anniversary of DACA– I stand with DREAMers, their parents, and their families, as we fight to protect it, and other policies that include more of our families.
Despite the struggles our community faces day in and day out-- and recognizing that this system doesn’t serve us, we continue to work to dismantle it. For our DREAMers, and for our parents: I stand with you today in solidarity, and I am committed-- through my role as community organizer and New Mexico legislator, to speak out on the injustices facing our immigrant communities. Always.”
David Morales, Las Cruces Public School teacher also wrote:
“DACA has brought students out from the shadows and given them hope that they can find a
future that is secure and prosperous. Thank you... for being part of the fabric of my life. You give me courage and you inspire me. On this the anniversary of DACA. I say thank you for enriching our country!”
Michel Nieves-Hernandez, El Paso resident & DACA beneficiary said:
“Before DACA, I lived in the shadows. Living in constant fear of being deported, not knowing whether my siblings, parents or myself would get detained and sent back to México. But now DACA allows me to live a plentiful life with a sense of security that allows me to thrive. Most importantly, the program has given my family relief knowing we can be together in this country.
“Today, Rep. Steve Pearce & Texas representatives hear us and see us! And we urge them to come out and defend DACA & TPS. They can no longer lookout for the interests of white supremacists, they must stand by the people they are supposed to represent!
“I do not live in fear anymore, and for that reason I’m here to remind my community that in the same way we won DACA, we will win again and we won’t stop until all our families can live without fear and thrive!”
Gabriela Hernandez, Southwest Organizer with United We Dream & Executive Director for the NM Dream Team, said:
“In these times of continuous attack by the Trump regime, the NM Dream Team reminds the community that now more than ever it is crucial to plug into the fight for our families. They can do so by making sure theyKnow Their Rights, by calling on their local officials to fight alongside our immigrant families and to stay up-to-date with the latest in immigration by texting the word FightBack to 877-877.”
The New Mexico Dream Team is a statewide network committed to create power for multigenerational, undocumented, and mixed status families through trainings and leadership development. We work to engage our community and allies in becoming leaders using an intersectional, gender, and racial justice lens—to develop and implement an organizing and advocacy infrastructure for policy change fighting to dismantle systemic oppression.
United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation, a powerful nonpartisan network made up of 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. UWD organizes and advocates for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status. We seek to address the inequities and obstacles faced by immigrant youth and believe that by empowering immigrant youth, we can advance the cause of the entire community—justice for all immigrants.