I Am a Proud Oregonian

by Fátima Preciado

I am a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and a Mexican immigrant fighting daily for my American dream.

My parents chose to come to this country, because they wanted a better, brighter future for their children. When I was younger, I didn’t fully understand the complexity, risk and sacrifice my parents made by bringing me to the United States, but now that I understand, I am not ashamed.  I am proud of what I’ve accomplished as the first in my family to attend a four-year university.

As a student at McKay High School in Salem, I made the Honor Society while participating in student government, volunteering at the local Boys & Girls Club, and working at a Mexican restaurant to help my family pay our bills.

In April 2016, Oregon’s Boys & Girls Clubs honored me as Oregon’s Youth of the Year.

I continue to devote myself to serving my local community, because I am deeply committed to the state of Oregon. I am committed to fighting for the right to live in the country where I was raised and the place I call home. One day I hope to become an immigration law attorney to bring justice to and represent our immigrant communities with the respect and dignity they deserve – the respect and dignity I deserve.

Like many DACA recipients, I know my future is at risk since President Trump ordered an end to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on September 5, 2017.  I am among 12,000 Oregon Dreamers and 800,000 U.S. Dreamers across the country fighting for the opportunity to stay in the country where I was raised.

This is my home, I am a proud Oregonian, and I am here to stay.