When the Supreme Court allowed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to remain in place this summer, immigrants across Iowa who were brought here as children breathed a collective sigh of relief. But the threat that the Trump administration could soon renew its attempt to end the program still looms, impacting 2,400 DACA recipients in Iowa and about 650,000 nationwide.
I’m one of them.
We are an economic force for the state and contribute nearly $11 million in state and local taxes that support schools and infrastructure. We work in industries Iowans are depending on during the coronavirus pandemic, including health care and food services, which makes the administration’s plan to undercut the program even harder to comprehend.
The Trump administration has demonized immigrants to rally its base for years. When candidate Donald Trump came to Dordt University, where I went to college, I attended his rally and remember my friends cheering on his anti-immigrant rhetoric. After he became president, the rhetoric became action.
At every turn, the Trump administration’s immigration policies have been met with public condemnation, congressional outcry and repudiation by federal courts. Polls have shown that even Trump voters are against deporting Dreamers. Yet, the president continues to use immigrants and DACA to build political momentum.
For me, this is personal. I did not know I was undocumented until I was trying to get into college. Since arriving in this country at 5 years old, I stayed out of trouble, put my hand over my heart for the Pledge of Allegiance and was even offered a scholarship because of my high GPA. Like so many DACA recipients, I have proved my value and allegiance to my country, which makes it difficult to accept my status.
If it weren’t for DACA, I would not have been able to get a driver’s license nor a work permit. But at every job interview I was reminded that I was undocumented when potential employers would laugh and ask why I only had a work permit. With the United States the only country I have called home, it was embarrassing to have to explain my status. Still, with faith, I pushed forward.
Watch Alex Vasquez’s “Let’s Talk Immigration” interview.
My Christian faith teaches me that we are all loved by God and equal in His sight. We are told to help and love thy neighbor and not to turn them away when in need. As one nation under God, we must recognize immigration as a Christian virtue. The Bible teaches us to welcome migrants and treat them as our neighbors.
As Iowans, we must let our elected officials know that a permanent legislative solution for DACA is one of the most American positions they can take. We are a nation of immigrants who came from every corner of the world to build this country.
Because of DACA, I have been able to graduate college and lead a local nonprofit. And that fighting chance, that opportunity — which millions have yearned for — is as American as it gets.
Alex Vasquez serves as the director of Sioux County Young Life, a nonprofit and youth organization that focuses on introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
Alex and his family are first generation immigrants from Colombia. Growing up in Dallas with Colombian roots has allowed Alex to live in a cross-cultural setting most of his life. Alex now aims to live a life of service by bringing people together, and empowering others to reach their full potential in Christ.
Alex holds a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences from Dordt University.