The day after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election, immigrant rights leader Gaby Pacheco posted this on her Facebook wall:
The result has been an outpouring of #WithDACA responses that speak to the reality of what it is to be a DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient in the United States of America and why these DREAMers will not stay quiet in the Era of Trump.
US Immigrants are speaking out about their contributions with #WithDACA to protest the overturn of the DACA policy https://t.co/t0qXv4ZJZu pic.twitter.com/civXqlGF9k
— HashtagNow (@hashtagnow_co) November 15, 2016
The response has been raw and real:
https://twitter.com/gee_oh_vany/status/798428314843095041
#WithDACA I was able to finish my Engineering Degree and got a job as a Software Engineer at the biggest tech company in Silicon Valley.
— Denis Lemos (@DenisLemos) November 15, 2016
#WithDACA I was able to conduct research+get published. Travel.Graduate from college and get a job that will prepare me for med school
— Kiti (@Cugatron) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Mrwu12345/status/798542269867360256
#withDACA I am the breadwinner of my family, paying taxes, raising a son, supportive wife and a college student
— Maritza (@mybombo07) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Santanaboy18/status/797301579132977152
yes, I can only hope. I will love to share all my success that I've had #WithDACA. It has been a life changer & more to share!
— Diego Corzo, Realtor (@diegocorzo) November 15, 2016
#WithDACA I was able to obtain my driver license and finished two certifications as a paralegal and legal secretary. #Heretostay
— laulopez (@lacami08) November 15, 2016
#withdaca My family's income doubled, we paid off our home, bought new vehicles, drive legal, pay more taxes, travel, changed my kids life!
— Vangie (@evaibarra1020) November 15, 2016
#WithDACA I have been able to dream #WithDACA I was able to continue with my college education. #WithDACA I don't feel like I need to hide.
— Francisco Esparza (@Fran_Esparza) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Santanaboy18/status/798362911328509952
Yesterday, President Obama said the following about Trump’s intention to eliminate DACA:
I will urge the president-elect and the incoming administration to think long and hard before they are endangering the status of what for all practical purposes are American kids They’ve gone to school. They have pledged allegiance to the flag. Some of them have joined the military. They’ve enrolled in school. By definition, if they are part of this program, they are solid, wonderful young people of good character. It is my strong belief that the majority of the American people would not want to see suddenly those kids have to start hiding again.