Evidence of Claudia López, a young 'dreamer' who has not stopped struggling to get ahead.
Claudia López has been a DACA beneficiary since 2012. (Supplied)
Photo:
Claudia López / Impremedia
For some time now, the uncertainty of not knowing if I could continue in this country took hold of me. Although I tried to ignore the issue, I also looked for options that included the possibility of emigrating to Canada and working there. I refused to live in the United States completely undocumented again.
My future, like thousands of beneficiaries of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), was in the hands of the Supreme Court. However, the announcement this Thursday morning was very pleasant as it was determined that there were no solid bases to end DACA and this will continue indefinitely.
My name is Claudia López, I am 37 years old and I have been a DACA beneficiary since 2012. Thanks to this program I was able to achieve great goals such as working for prestigious universities, buying a new car and owning my own home.
I came to the United States from Guerrero, Mexico in 1996 to reunite with my family.
Having no papers did not stop me from searching for my dreams. When I was accepted to California State University Northridge (CSUN), I ended up having up to three jobs at a time to afford my higher education.
In 2008 I graduated from CSUN with a double degree in Chicano Studies and Psychology. After graduating, continue working as a babysitter and cleaning a factory. When they found out I had a college degree from the company, they offered me a job as a data capturer. Although it was a good opportunity, in 2011 I had to leave my job due to the lack of valid social security.
A year later DACA was announced. The entire nation heard President Barack Obama say that undocumented youth were citizens to the full extent of the word "except on paper."
At that time I couldn't help the excitement and I cried. For me it was a second chance to achieve my goals.
I still remember the exact date when I first received my DACA permit; December 26, 2012.
I immediately started applying for jobs at various companies, including the Metro agency in Los Angeles and Pepperdine University in Malibu.
When I drove to Malibu for my interview I saw the beach and I found the place very beautiful. I thought it would be great to be able to work there.
So it was. I was accepted to work in the accounting department, and ever since I decided that would be my career.
Three years later I changed jobs to work at UCLA where I stayed for another three years and currently work in the accounting department for a private real estate company.
My home, my American dream
While working at Pepperdine, colleagues started talking to me about the possibility of buying my own home. For me that was very important because not only was I achieving my dream but I was also breaking down the barriers of those who believe that immigrants cannot have a home.
So I started saving and working on improving my credit. Once the deal was closed and I received the documents and keys to my Palmdale home, it was a tremendous accomplishment for me to do it alone and a shock to my lender.
He told me that he had never had a person like me — a DACA beneficiary — who had bought his own home.
Since 2008 my parents kept their furniture in a storage, when they lost their own house due to the recession.
When we were putting the furniture in my house, my mother told me that what she liked the most was that her furniture was going to my house. To her, that was a sign that the American dream did exist.
Sometimes things don't happen on the first try, but if you fight, everything can be done.
Now I think that when I had nothing, I really did have many aspirations and that is what led me to fight for my dreams.
I also believe that in 2012, President Obama did not wake up one day and said: "Today I am going to give young people born in other countries an opportunity so that they can lead a normal life", I believe that all this has been achieved thanks to the work we have done for many years.
Young people today have many more opportunities, especially due to all the technology that exists. And we also have Dreamers who are already caring. They can also make a difference with their votes. Now is the time!
As Claudia López said it was written by Jacqueline García
