Dear John,
Today at Santa Fe Dreamers Project, we are reflecting on the last 10 years since Barack Obama signed DACA into effect. Through the hard work and dedication of community organizers, DACA was a huge victory that has provided hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the country with work authorization and protection from deportation. The impact of DACA as a program has been immense and only continues to grow.
At the same time, we recognize that DACA is not enough. We are tired of the broken promises, the litigation roller coaster, and the endless legal limbo. Even today, two years into the Biden administration, federal court orders are preventing undocumented youth from accessing DACA status. Today is also a sobering reminder of the complete failure of our federal government to give immigrants what they deserve - the permanent right to live and work in the US, and a path to US citizenship.
Santa Fe Dreamers Project continues to be a statewide leader in immigration legal services for DACA recipients. We have represented hundreds of DACA recipients every year since this project started in 2013. Today, we have weekly clinics in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, mobile DACA clinics using our RV, Dreams on Wheels, and we even offer online-only DACA renewals to our clients, offering our expert legal services from the convenience of their smart phones. DACA legal services are still the cornerstone of our organization and the heart of our work, and it’s our privilege and our pleasure to be advocates and partners with DACA-mented individuals and their families. This work has been made possible by the immense generosity and support of our neighbors like you.
Today and every day, our staff stands in solidarity with undocumented and mixed status families. Throughout this summer, we’ll be sharing stories about how DACA has impacted our community and what we’re doing here at Santa Fe Dreamers Project to stay in solidarity with DACA recipients and their families here in New Mexico, including some special ways you can connect with us. If you haven’t already, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with the latest.
On the 10th anniversary of DACA, we also ask you to join us in solidarity:
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Call your elected officials and DEMAND permanent legal solutions for DACA recipients and undocumented community members. It’s long past time for them to make good on their broken promises. Use this link to find yours now.
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Follow the leadership of undocumented activists like New Mexico Dream Team and United We Dream, and support their calls to action! This movement started with, by and for undocumented youth, but ALL of us need to show up in solidarity until ALL of us have the legal rights and protections we all deserve.
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Make a donation today to Santa Fe Dreamers Project to make sure DACA recipients in our communities continue to have access to free, expert legal representation. Your donations directly support our legal work and help us keep the lights on. It’s one tangible way to show your undocumented neighbors that you have their back.
Sincerely,
Santa Fe Dreamers Project
