September Prayer Partner: Praying for Dreamers after a Judge Rules Against DACA
Dear friend,
Yesterday, a judge in Texas once again ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. While the decision does not change anything in the immediate term as the decision will now go to an appeals court and then very likely to the U.S. Supreme Court, the news hits hard to me.
As a Dreamer who is able to live and work lawfully in Phoenix, my home, because of DACA, I would like to share my dream for Congress to take definitive action on immigration reform. Through sharing my story, I hope to shed light on the challenges that my family and countless others face. I believe that we can raise awareness and foster understanding, and we can move towards positive change and ultimately more just immigration policies.
Four years ago, I married my best friend, Kenia, who is also a Dreamer. Kenia and I are parents to two gorgeous sons, Nicolas and Isaiah. Becoming a father to U.S. citizen children has driven the importance of stability and security in their lives. My biggest worry as our children grow up is the constant uncertainty that surrounds our immigration status with DACA. I fear that this program, which helped my wife and I become homeowners, could end at any time, and this week’s court decision makes that possibility all the more likely.
As Dreamers, Kenia and I both grew up in families where we feared the possibility of family separation on a daily basis. Kenia’s father was detained in 2010 under the controversial policies of Joe Arpaio, who for many years served as the sheriff of our county. This impacted her tremendously and has left unhealed trauma. With the uncertain future of DACA, our biggest fear is having our young children experience the same anguish of wondering if our family could be separated.
My work has allowed me to not only support my family but also contribute to the immigrant community that has been targeted by unjust immigration policies over the years. Despite the delay by Congress to provide immigration reform, our community has faith that one day things can change for the better. The work I do here underscores the value that immigrants bring to this country and emphasizes the shared humanity that unites us all.
Today we are not certain about the future of DACA or when Congress will act and change our broken immigration system. In times of uncertainty, I continue to trust in God, and not lose hope.
I’d ask you, if you’re willing, to pray for me, my wife and children, and the hundreds of thousands of other Dreamers and their families whose lives and livelihoods are on the line as the latest legal challenge to DACA makes its way through the courts. And please also join me in praying that Congress would act quickly to finally pass immigration reforms, making these legal wranglings over DACA moot.
Blessings,
Alfonso Vazquez
P.S. You can read a response from the leaders of the Evangelical Immigration Table to the most recent judicial decision on DACA here and use this tool to ask your Members of Congress to act. And if you would like to join others in prayer for my family and Dreamers across the country, the Evangelical Immigration Table will have a virtual prayer time on Monday, September 18th at 4:00 PM ET/3:00 PM CT/2:00 PM MT/1:00 PM PT. You can add the call to your calendar or simply click here to join the Zoom call at that time.
