Dreamer suffers emotional toll of an uncertain future
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY, KSWT) - An uncertain future together with the threat of deportation is a heavy emotional burden for those affected by the Deferred Action for Childhood arrivals (DACA).
DACA was passed under former president Barack Obama in 2012, however in September 2017 President Donald Trump announced that the program would end, along with its protections.
The case is now in the hands of the Supreme Court, and in June 2020 it will be known what will become of DACA.
Meanwhile, Dreamers like 31-year-old Sandra Vizcarra, live in in limbo.
Vizcarra was born in Guadalajara, in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Her first language was Spanish, but today she communicates more fluidly in English.
"I arrived at such a young age, so I never felt excluded. Learning English was hard, but now it comes easily to me."
Viscarra was brought to the United States at age four, and since then she has adopted this country as her own. "It wasn't until high school that I found out I wasn't born here, but I didn't know what that meant or that I would face consequences," she said.
Under DACA, she may continue living in the United States to work and study.
Viscarra feels the American spirit as if she was born here, but despite being well acquainted with United States customs and cultures, she lives in constant fear of deportation.
"When I see Border Patrol agents behind me while I'm driving, I get tense. My hands start to sweat and I plead to myself that they don't detain and question me. I make sure that I have my documents with me and try to act normally, but the nerves and anxiety always win."
Viscarra lives in El Centro, California and says it is a great emotional toll to live so close to Mexico and not be able to visit her family. "It's hard to drive around here and be able to see the border and know that I have family on the other side that I've never met. My grandmother died and I couldn't go to her funeral."
Viscarra studies professional coding in Somerton. Her hope is for legislation to be passed that legalizes people like her who were brought to the United States at a young age.
"I feel like we're being punished for the actions of our parents. It feels like my emotions are being toyed with. I could never return to Mexico."
Viscarra finds herself among over 660 thousand DACA beneficiaries in the country. This past weekend she passed her final professional coding exam and hopes to start her career without fear of losing her protection.
