MILWAUKEE — Students across the country are dealing with uncertainty about their future.
It comes after a federal judge in Texas ruled in September that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program is illegal.
Going to college has always been a dream for Marquette University senior Fátima Jiménez González. She said she wouldn’t be studying secondary education if it wasn’t for the DACA program.
“My parents are very pro-education,” said Jiménez González. “There really was no question about if I’m going to go to college, it’s about where I’m going to go to college and how am I going to pay for it.”
She grew up in Milwaukee, but her roots lie in Mexico.
“I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico and I was brought to the United States when I was around 2 years old,” she said. “This is really the only home I’ve ever known.”
DACA is a federal policy that prevents immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from being deported.
Jiménez González said it’s because of this policy that she’s able to pursue her dreams of becoming a teacher.
“Eventually… I’d like to receive a doctorate,” she said. “I’d like to be Dr. Jiménez one day.”
Right now, the DACA program is still in place for existing recipients, but the government can’t approve any new applications for the program.
Alma Sandoval Garcia was also born in Mexico and came to the U.S. with her family at age 1. She’s majoring in social welfare and justice, a topic that hits close to home.
“I remember being a freshman and even being scared and asking if there was support on campus because that was my main concern,” said Sandoval Garcia.
Sandoval Garcia said she is glad to have a friend like Jiménez González to help her feel supported.
“I remember thinking well there’s at least one other person on campus in the same shoes as I am,” she said.
Jiménez González said despite the uncertainty many other young immigrants may face, her advice is to never give up and always follow your dreams despite the obstacles.
“Keep at it, there’s going to be a way for you to succeed if you really wanted to,” she said.
The status of existing recipients is still in jeopardy. The judge’s ruling will be appealed to a U.S. Court of Appeals and then it’s expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court for a final decision on the future of DACA.