Indira Islas and her family typically spend the 4th of July just like most Americans. Independence Day cookouts and fireworks have been familiar and comfortable experiences for Islas ever since her family immigrated from Mexico to Gainesville in 2004.
Islas is one of over half a million beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which grants immigrants brought to the U.S. as children rights to work, study and live in the country on a renewable permit — a group that has come to be known as “dreamers.” A recent Supreme Court decision upheld DACA — preventing the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the program — and while Islas said the decision brought some immediate relief to her and her family, she believes it is far from the ultimate solution that she and other dreamers around the country are hoping for.
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TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college access and success program for immigrant youth, having provided more than 5,000 college scholarships to DREAMers at more than 70 partner colleges in 16 states and Washington, DC. We believe that all young Americans, regardless of where they were born, should have the opportunity to get a college education and pursue a meaningful career that contributes to our country’s prosperity.