Let's talk about DACA - Diverse Source interviews

By: Ammon Bakarri-O

A_O132@TXSTATE.EDU

Alex Barbosa
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Name: Alex Barbosa

Age: 23-yr-old

Major: Finance major

Hometown: Wylie, TX

Classification: Senior

1. What is DACA?
"It helps children and adults who were brought over here illegally to stay in country."

2. How do you feel about it?
"I feel that it's only good. I support DACA."

3. Why do you feel this way?
"There's opportunity to not only help families, but communities as well."

4. Are you affected by DACA or do you know anyone else affected?
"Yes, I have friends who were a part of the dreamers act."

5. If you could fix DACA what methods would you use?
"I would renew it for good citizens who are not convicted of crimes. Lessen the paperwork."

Marco Gutierrez
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Name: Marco Gutierrez

Age: 19

Classification: Freshmen

Hometown: Laredo, TX

Major: Business Administration

1. What is DACA?
"It's for illegal parents who've had kids over in the United States and it works to keep kids here."

2. How do you feel about it?
"I think it's a really good act and could use some improvements."

3. Why do you feel this way?
"I think it's necessary the outcome is very good."

4. Are you affected by DACA, or do you know anyone else affected?
"I don't know anyone personally, but I have seen stories."

5. If you could fix DACA what methods would you use?
"I wouldn't keep the current one. I would fix it to where we wouldn't use as much of the taxpayers money, but I would make adjustments to keep it."

Cody Enderli
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Name: Cody Enderli

Age: 20

Classification: Sophomore

Hometown: Liberty, TX

Major: Political Science

1. What is DACA?

"It grants students who came to U.S. illegally deferred action, so they can go to school and work here."

2. How do you feel about it?

"It's granting and giving a gift to illegal immigrants. I think it's just too much. We don't do enough things to benefit people who have citizenship, so why are we giving non-citizens so many chances to do things."

3. Why do you feel this way?

"I am a U.S. citizen."

"I know two people who go to Texas State who are good people. I also know two others that would abuse the privilege."

5. If you could fix DACA what methods would you use?
"I would get rid of it.  It's not an unalienable right."

Baulina Torres
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Name: Baulina Torres

Age: 19

Classification: Freshmen

Hometown: Laredo, TX

Major: Athletic training

1. What is DACA?
"It's for children to stay in the U.S. to get an education."

2. How do you feel about it?
"I'm Hispanic, so I feel every person in U.S. should have the right to get an education regardless of who they are as a person."

3. Why do you feel this way?
"Because of my background and equality."

4. Are you affected by DACA or do you know anyone else affected?
"No, I have heard stories about the act."

5. If you could fix DACA what methods would you use?
"I would keep it in place because every one should be given a right. It wasn't there choice to grow up here."

Vaile Whittingslow
Photo by: Ammon and the family

Name: Vaile Whittingslow

Age: 19

Classification: Freshmen

Hometown: Angleton, TX

Major: Exercise and sports science in rehabilitation

1. What is DACA?

"I know that it is an act put in place to assist Hispanic children who were brought to United States to help them get an education."

2. How do you feel about it? "I think it is a pretty important act. The lack of extra help that other people get."

3. Why do you feel this way?

"I guess it's just common morals. It is very easy to see that you do not get as much attention or help as other children do. I feel it's unfair to them."

4. Are you affected by DACA or do you know anyone else affected?

"Personally, I don't know anyone affected, but I always see stories that pop up on the internet."

5. If you could fix DACA what methods would you use?
"Make sure people are keeping their grades up and keeping responsibilities in classes."