The dozens of strangers who fill up a small room inside the World Relief Southern California office all have something in common, but is not often shared publicly. They are living in the United States under the protection of DACA, but that safety is under fire.

“It’s like being in this constant uncertainty. What will I do then?” said Ana Jara.

President Barack Obama created a policy called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012. The policy allowed people who were brought illegally into the country as children to receive a renewable 1-year period of deferred action from deportation.

Jara is one of the leaders at World Relief Southern California who guides DACA recipients through the renewal process. She understands what they’re going through because she’s also here because of DACA.

“It’s hard to say goodbye to family and I don’t want to,” said Jara.

She wants to become a U.S. citizen to stay with her parents and siblings, but Jara needs a green card to become one. However, current laws make it almost impossible for DACA recipients to get green cards.

“If I leave, I’ll be barred for 10 years before I can do anything to fix my status,” said Jara.

She was a child when her parents brought her to the United States. Jara’s family saved up money so she could get a good education. She’s now 33-years-old and is a UCLA graduate. Jara leads DACA renewal workshops at the center in Garden Grove every Thursday. She and her colleagues go through every inch of the necessary documents to help applicants get approved to stay at least another two years.

“Most of DACA applications will only be valid up to 2020 and after that, let’s try to find other solutions,” said Jara.

It’s unclear if DACA will continue past 2020. President Donald Trump and his administration are challenging the policy in the hopes of ending it.

For more information on World Relief Southern California and its DACA renewal workshops, please visit: https://worldreliefsocal.org/dacathursdays.