MILWAUKEE (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The Supreme Court ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program means victory for many dreamers across the United States.
Milwaukee resident and immigrants' rights activist, Alejandra Gonzalez, is a DACA recipient in Wisconsin feeling relieved by the decision.
“It was such a relief honestly it was really exciting to see that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dreamers,” said Gonzalez.
The months, weeks and days leading up to this moment have been tough on Dreamers like Gonzalez.
She recently graduated with a Bachelors's degree and she was worried about being forced out of the country.
“I just got my bachelors so it was one of those things were I finally I feel like I just achieved the American Dream and it was gonna get taken away from me and it was one of those things where I worked so hard to reach my goals and I didn’t wanna lose it all," she continued.
The new ruling blocks President Trump's administration's attempt to dissolve the program.
Shortly after the decision, Trump took to Twitter to respond.
Meanwhile, former President Barrack Obama also responded to the Supreme Court's ruling on DACA with a tweet expressing joy, for the continuation of the program which he helped make possible eight years ago.
A sentiment that resonates with Gonzalez as she described how DACA recipients are great Americans.
“We recognize the value about being what an American is and that’s working hard, surrounding yourself with loved ones, working for your community, and improvement of the general population," she continued.
This is a triumph for DACA recipients, but most 'DACA-mented' individuals as Gonzalez calls herself, know they still have a long journey ahead to obtain permanent status.
"We need something more permanent that gives us a pathway to citizenship, DACA wasn’t supposed to be permanent its a bandaid solution and we need to keep fighting for something that grants us citizenship in this country," explained Gonzalez.
Until those permanent solutions arrive, some Dreamers like Gonzalez will keep supporting other undocumented immigrants.
Turning the hardships she has overcome into tools to help those coming after her thrive.
She now works as the Youth Organizing Statewide Director for Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant advocacy organization in Wisconsin. Gonzalez says she wants laws to change so that undocumented youth doesn't grow up with fear and anxiety-like she did, adding that for Dreamers this nation is their home and the only one they know.