A healing circle and empowerment session for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA for short, was held Thursday, February 8 at the Student Union Center to help those who are undocumented on the Rio Hondo Campus. The meeting was conducted by staff who are both documented and undocumented in order to help guide those who are dreamers on campus.

Even though the future of the DACA program seems uncertain, there are resources available to help cope with the frustration that seems to continue to linger on the shoulders of the program. The whole purpose of the DACA program is to help keep the families of the undocumented together and the positivity in the lives of dreamers who only wish to stay in the country and continue to pursue a better life for themselves.

Sylvia Juarez, who is the strong link between the government officials and the Rio Hondo community, notified the group of dreamers who met at the Student Union Center that a great way to battle the negativity that comes with being undocumented is to remain positive and strive for the best in doing excellent in their school work.

For if anything, performing their utmost best is what keeps the dreamers in school and in turn in the country that only seems to find new excuses to postpone the DACA program. Aside from doing great in school, finding others who are relating to the stress and sadness of the situation is another way to help express confused feelings from what comes with being undocumented.

The entire session was met with a lot of frustration and emotion that only seemed to be supported with tears from those who felt unsure of their future and that of the DACA program. And although emotion was stirred within the group, at the end, smiles and a little hope was infused due to some staff members expressing their supportiveness for DACA and giving a little advice as well.

Being an ally or a friend to those who are undocumented will help keep their spirits alive in a time when it seems an entire country is led by a president who sees immigrants as a threat rather than anything else. Knowing resources that are at your disposal will help keep dreamers informed and help get in touch with those who have a louder voice than those who feel too weak or afraid to speak out on their own. And sharing your experience, either good or bad, will help others understand the frustration that comes with being seen as a burden to society.

A passed law that guarantees the placement of dreamers in this country can only ensure a strong civilization that thrives from having different cultures and ethnicities living together. Continue to do your part and go out there and vote to help keep the dream alive.