Jossue E. Ruiz Luna: DACA Stories
Today, we celebrate the momentous 10th anniversary of DACA. This program has cost me $2,475 in fees (excluding legal fees), an investment I'd gladly make over and over again to stay rooted in the country I call home. If you're unaware, DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program designed to protect those of us who arrived as children with our parents as "illegal immigrants" and grew up oblivious to our undocumented status. It was only in our transition into adulthood that the unsettling truth revealed itself.
This was my story. On turning 16, when I began to consider my adult life, I was confronted with the reality that I lacked a social security number, couldn't legally secure a job or driver's license, and was ineligible for government-funded scholarships to my dream school. It was a harsh reality. With school counselors at a loss for words and a college recruiter advising me to falsely claim citizenship (unaware that it was a federal crime). Anxiety filled me each time a college application demanded my social security number.
With this in mind, I chose to attend Boise State University, determined to secure funding without government aid. By the time I decided on this path, it was too late. Scholarship deadlines had passed, and most funding was gone. During orientation, I quickly discovered that non-citizens are charged out-of-state tuition, escalating my projected expense from $28,716 to $46,490. Faced with such an insurmountable cost, I found myself giving up. Community college was an alternative, but honestly, I had cut ties with the idea of higher education. DACA instilled a new sense of hope and opportunity within me.
Following the approval of my DACA application, I secured my "first job" cross-pollinating plants and later found myself employed at a wonderful establishment called Wahooz Family Fun Zone. From there, life improved significantly. After experiencing the educational system's failure to guide me, I shifted my focus in my final year of high school from engineering to theater, participating in plays, dancing, celebrating my culture through quinceañeras, and working hard to earn a living, just like everyone else.
During this time, I developed a love for video creation. My cousin and I began making videos for our engineering class, showcasing our robotics projects, and I even crafted a video for my English class after a group project fell apart (a story for another day). The spark that ignited my passion for creating videos came when a representative from Micron showcased Redbull videos. Their focus was on managing memory, but I was captivated by the production value of the videos. To this day, one of my dreams is to collaborate with Redbull on a video project, and I'm confident that day will come.
Life after high school hasn't been all sunshine and roses - there have been numerous failures. From myriad jobs to multiple businesses (one example being Cerealsly Trendy), I've experienced a great deal, all thanks to DACA. However, my successes have significantly outweigh the failures.
I've learned that it's crucial to show your "Poder" - your power. In today's world, it's a potent tool that should be wielded with confidence, resilience, and class. Today, I run a successful business with my brother, named Ruiz Marketing Group. We create phenomenal content for an array of businesses. Our videos, praised for their quality, are the result of years of hard work. Thanks to the opportunities DACA has afforded me, I've been able to contribute significantly to my community, collaborate with influential people and organizations, including creating a video for Darryl Strawberry, a prominent baseball right fielder. This document has opened countless doors for me, enabling me to do great things.
Navigating these waters can be politically tricky, but it's a necessary conversation. To those who oppose DACA, we are not just numbers but individuals of influence and power. To policymakers of all stripes, please address our immigration issue. Yes, our parents transgressed international law, but they also exercised their human right to seek better lives for their families. They're not criminals; they're individuals striving to live in peace and prosperity. Assisting them in achieving this legally will only enhance your economic wealth and growth, as DACA has shown. We are entrepreneurs, doctors, philanthropists, teachers, preachers, engineers, soldiers, commanders, pilots, millionaires, parents, and beloved members of our communities. Is your plan truly to send us all back?
My narrative is one of millions. I hope it serves as an inspiration for you to chase your dreams and ambitions. Each journey is unique, but change always starts small - one grain of sand at a time. Thank you and God bless you. God Bless America.
