Diverse Sources Interviews by Eden Freeman and Jilianne Scamperle

Luis Parra

Age: 21

Major: Performance and Production

Year: Senior

1) What is DACA?

"DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and it basically allows children of immigrants who came here before I believe the age of 18 to stay in the United States and obtain a work permit and a licence and be able to get an education."

2) How do you feel about DACA?

"I don't think it's enough. Honestly, I think it's a start, but these people don't deserve to be punished for things that they had absolutely no part in. They had no choice in committing this crime."

3) Why do you feel that way?

"I believe it's a helpful program don't get me wrong I just believe that it's just not enough. That we need to be focused on helping these people in the biggest way possible."

4) How have you been affected by DACA?

"I haven't been affected personally, but these people are part of our culture and have fully integrated with us and they just need to be granted residency and citizenship legally."

5) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

"I would make it more of a path to citizenship rather than a temporary solution."

Lacey Bridges

Age: 21

Major: Studio Art- Drawing

Year: Junior

1) What is DACA?

"DACA is basically where Obama let kids under the age of 18 stay in America if they were brought here illegally."

2) How do you feel about DACA?

"I'm for and against it. I'm okay if they had to come here, but I want them to get their citizenship. It will help them too in the long run."

3) Why do you feel this way about DACA?

"America has been to liberal about letting people come and stay, in other countries they don't play that." 

4) How has DACA affected you?

"DACA has effected people I know like professors, and some friends."

5) If you were in charge how would you fix DACA?

"I would try to make it easier for them to get their green card and citizenship instead of making it a huge process. Just make it simple."

Shelby Saefke: 

Age: 22

Major: Criminal Justice

Year: Senior

1. What is DACA?

“It stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”

2. How do you feel about it?

“ I think it’s a really good idea and opportunity for people affected. It’s definitely a big decision and an issue in our country that needs to be addressed.”

3. Why do you feel this way? 

“ There are tons of illegal immigrants that are trying their best to find jobs and get educated. But, they are illegal so it raises questions on what should be done. I think DACA could be a good compromise” 

4.  How have you been affected?

“ I haven’t been personally effected, but it’s something that affects our entire country and state.”

5. If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

“That’s a really tough question. I guess if it was that easy then we would already have a solution. No matter what, not everyone will agree on it. ” 

Jesse Pena

Age: 23

Major: Business

Year: Senior

   1.    What is DACA?

“It’s an act that allows illegal immigrants that were born in the U.S. as minors to avoid being deported for 2 years while they’re in school or working.”

.          2.  How do you feel about it?                                                                                                                    

        "I 100% support it and think we should do more for our immigrants.”

           3. Why do you feel this way?

“ I think it’s sad that there are so many people here trying to live better lives, and our country turns them away. Especially for the minors who have spent their entire lives here, which DACA would applies to. There are requirements in order to keep them on the right track, so I don’t see what the issue is."

  4. How have you been effected by DACA?

“I’ve had to watch a lot of my friends and some of my own family members struggle with facing deportation if DACA is not approved. It’s really sad and scary and right now they’re kind of just waiting.”

          5.    If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

“I think I would just approve it. I don’t see any problems with it. Really I feel like the only reason it hasn’t gone through is political beliefs, which isn’t a big enough reason to me.”

Diverse Source Luis Castillo-Siero

By: Fouad Ali and Atkyn Garza
faa21@txstate.edu and a_g744@txstate.edu

Luis Castillo-Sireo

Age: 22
Major: Marketing
Class: Senior
Hometown:Caracas, Venezuela

1. What is DACA?
"DACA is this law that is trying to protect children that come to this country illegally, without any papers, but have been here pretty much their whole lives."

2. How do you Feel about it?
"Honestly, I think it's good because if they've been here their whole lives why are you going to send them to a place they never really been. That's not their home anymore, this is their home and it's kind of unfair. What's the difference to someone born here with papers to someone raised here with the same values and environment. I think it's wrong and I think DACA is positive."

3. How has it affected you?
"I'm an immigrate; however, I wasn't raised here, but I can relate. I understand why people want to be here. I've been here and accepted America's values. Some times it's hard because it conflicts with my other values, but I came here for the same opportunities and dreams that America holds just like everybody else. So, why do you want to send me back? I deserve a chance too."

4. Why do you think DACA is a thing?
"I've seen in the news that there are students who have worked really hard and became top of their class, but are illegal. Some people saw this as unfair saying, 'oh, they don't deserve their scholarships' and 'they don't deserve to be here.' Other people probably thought that they worked hard and have been here their whole lives so why not let them stay."

5. If you could change anything about it what would it be?
"I wouldn't change anything about DACA, but I would like to see Americans becoming more accepting toward the idea. It's not going to change much. These people work hard for this country and more people seeing that is something I want to see change."

Diverse Sources Interview- DACA

By Atkyn Garza and Fouad Ali
a_g744@txstate.edu, faa21@txstate.edu

Whitney Chiu

Age: 21

Major: Public Relations

Class: Senior

Hometown: Plano, TX

1.) What is DACA?

- "I think DACA is an international program for immigrant students."

2.) How do you feel about it?

- "I think it's definitely a good thing because kids are born in America and after their parents illegally migrate to America, it's not their fault."

3.) Why do you feel that way? 

- "They {immigrant children} were born on our soil, we have to take care of them."

4.) Have you been affected by DACA?

- "No, I have not been affected by DACA."

5.) If you were in charge, how you would fix DACA?

- " I honestly don't know enough information about DACA to know what I would change."

Diverse Sources Interviews - DACA

By Haley Jayroe and Chelsea Billings
haj12@txstate.edu, clb264@txstate.edu

Elizabeth Aguirre

Age: 24

Class: Senior

Major: Psychology

Hometown: El Paso, Texas

1)     What is DACA?

"Program that allows illegal immigrant’s children to live here go to school and live their life and buy property. Trump is trying to end it though."

2)     How do you feel about it?

"I like it, I’m for it. Pro-DACA."

3)     Why do you feel that way?

"I'm for social rights and equality for everybody. I think this is a great program to allow people to have a better life in America."

4)     How have you been affected by DACA?

"I haven’t been personally, but it is troubling for some people."

5)     If you were in charge how would you fix DACA?

"I would make them legal citizens."

Crosby Figg

Age: 21

Class: Junior

Major: Construction Science

Hometown: Artesia, New Mexico

1)     What is DACA?

"Stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It allows children who have migrated to the U.S. and who were young enough to be innocent of any charges to stay in the U.S. as citizens and not be deported back in to their native country."

2)     How do you feel about it?

"It is a great program for people to live their lives as U.S. citizens and not be bothered by actions that were taken when they were too young to do anything about."

3)     Why do you feel that way?

"Everyone should have a chance to live a life that they desire."

4)     How have you been affected by DACA?

"I haven't personally been affected but I have known some people who have been protected by DACA"

5)     If you were in charge how would you fix DACA?

"I would let it stay in place and keep protecting the illegal immigrants so they can live in the U.S. and live the American dream."

Madison Elliott

Age: 22

Class: Senior

Major: Public Relations

Hometown: Houston, Texas

  1) What is DACA?

“It stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. I actually learned about it in my government class last semester. It’s a program implemented by Obama in 2012 to allow children who were here illegally due to their parents, to be able to stay under certain circumstances and qualifications.”

2)     How do you feel about it?

"Personally, I feel like I guess it could be a good thing depending on the situation, but I think it could get messy. I do believe that people should come into America legally. When you start creating acceptations for certain individuals, it could cause issues."

3)     Why do you feel that way?

"While I don’t like to get too deep into politics, I do consider myself to be a little more conservative and I believe that it’s the just thing to acquire citizenship to be in America the legal and right way."

4)     How have you been affected by DACA?

"No I have not."

5)     If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

"I would get rid of it. I think people need to come here the right way. I think it’s wrong that they are given this leeway to be in America and live the American dream without following the legal procedures to be here. There are about 800,000 people that take advantage of this program. What’s the point of having immigration laws when there’s a program that lets them be here anyways?"

Jacob Korte

Age: 22

Class: Junior

Major: General Studies

Hometown: Cypress, Texas

1)     What is DACA?

"DACA is a program that lets immigrants be here illegally."

2)     How do you feel about it?

"I think it’s pretty messed up honestly. I don’t think that there should be a program like this that goes against our immigration laws. I think it’s a little backwards."

3)     Why do you feel that way?

"Because there are laws in place to keep illegal immigrants out of America, but then there’s this program that let’s them stay here and work even though they know they’re not here illegally. I don’t know it really doesn’t make much sense to me I think it’s a little unnecessary."

4)     How have you been affected by DACA?

"I haven’t been affected but I have actually met someone who was a part of this program."

5)     If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

"I think I would get rid of this program. In my eyes I think it’s unconstitutional. Not to offend anyone or anything but it’s just not something I believe in."

Diverse Sources Interview - DACA

By Atkyn Garza and Fouad Ali
a_g744@txstate.edu, faa21@txstate.edu

                                                                           

 Samantha Ladwig

Age: 21

Major: Special Education

Class: Junior

Hometown: McKinney, TX

 1.) What is DACA? 

- "I think its an immigration program for children. I've seen it on the news a lot, and know it's a controversial topic among politics today."

2.) How do you feel about it?

- "I guess I feel neutral about it. I do feel really bad for the kids that are forced to leave the country (U.S) against their will."

3.) Why do you feel that way?

- "I believe everybody should have an equal chance to make a life for themselves in America, and to be in the process of that and it suddenly be taken away from you, it's pretty sad."

4.)  Have you been affected by DACA?

- "I have not been personally affected by DACA."

5.) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?

- " Check ups on immigrants or more background checks. I am not entirely sure."

Diverse Source Interviews - DACA

By Christian Godinez and Olivia Chuber
cdg128@txstate.edu, omc14@txstate.edu

Samantha Lopez
Age: 18
Major: Computer Science
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Houston, TX

1) What is DACA?
- "DACA is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals."

2) How do you feel about it?
- "I feel like it's a really great program because, you know,  the kids who are brought here, they don't know they're being brought here. They don't know any of the stuff about that, so I feel like it's good to have them be treated as a normal citizen as being born here cause all they know is the U.S."

3) Why do you feel that way?
- "Because my brother, he's a DACA recipient for about two to three years and it's helped him to get into college and to start taking classes and to start his career."

4) How have you been affected by DACA?
- "I know how it works firsthand and the frustration of having to send in stuff, send in forms and wait for it to get processed. It's a very long process."

5) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?
- "If there was a faster way to get through the paperwork, it would be better."

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Hunter Lewin
Age: 21
Major: Psychology
Class: Senior
Hometown: Round Rock, TX

1) What is DACA?
- "DACA is an acronym for a political law that deals with immigrants or people that are not born in America."

2) How do you feel about it?
- "I think it's really cool. Giving them a legal opportunity to come and work, given the opportunity, I believe we can openly share our resources with people that are not of this country and I think that's a better way than just saying no and people are gonna come either way, so we should at least give them the opportunity to."

3) Why do you feel that way?
- "I think just because taking one radical stance, either way, where you say 'kick them out' or 'we should let everyone in,' both of them are wrong, but I think giving them the opportunity, it's basically like giving them a Visa and I don't see anything wrong with that."

4) How have you been affected by DACA?
- "I personally have not, but I've had friends that have been a part of families that have been affected by it."

5) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?
- "I mean I'm no politician, but I think we could have more documentation, more person-centered planning where we could focus on more job opportunities."

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Sarah Halmon
Age: 20
Major: Communication Design
Class: Junior
Hometown: Austin, TX

1) What is DACA?
- "I think it stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals."

2) How do you feel about it?
- "It's great, it's an opportunity for children and young adults that they wouldn't normally get otherwise."

3) Why do you feel that way?
- "Because growing up here I've had a lot of opportunities. I believe it should be fair and equal for those from other countries."

4) How have you been affected by DACA?
- "I haven't much, just learning more about it, really."

5) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?
- "I don't really know if there's anything to fix about it. It's a good program."

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Ngozi Nwachukw
Age: 19
Major: Microbiology
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Houston, TX

1) What is DACA?
- "It's a program that helps keep immigrants from deportation."

2) How do you feel about it?
- "We shouldn't deport people who deserve to be here. That's how I feel."

3) Why do you feel that way?
- "I feel like everyone deserves a chance to make a better life for themselves, especially since my parents are from another country."

4) How have you been affected by DACA?
- "This girl in my class was undocumented and was a recipient."

5) If you were in charge, how would you fix DACA?
- "I would fix the process. It shouldn't taken as as long as it does. I feel like they target minority countries like Mexico and Africa, but if it was a European person, it would probably be easier for them to come over here."

Meeting Megan Hall

January 31, 2018

Megan Hall

by Sam Durhman
smd160@txst.edu

Megan Hall is anything but dull as she lights up any room she's in with her wonderful personality. She is constantly smiling and is passionate about every little thing she does.

As Megan is pursuing a degree in public relations, she also works for a dog boarding and walking company in her spare time. She hopes to get into event coordinating which is perfect for her as she loves to be around people and is so easy to talk to.

Megan also has a particularly interesting hobby: meeting famous people. In her 22 years, she has met and talked to well-known celebrities and bands like Zac Efron, Mack Brown, Colt McCoy, Seth Rogen, Matthew McConaughey, The 1975, One Republic, Guns and Roses, and many more.

When Megan isn't off meeting celebrities, you can find her hanging out at George's in LBJ. If there's a good movie on or she is overwhelmed with homework, that's where she'll be. Megan loves to have a good time and will always find a way to do just that.

As an only child, Megan is fortunate to be close with her dad, who is also her role model in life. “He is very hardworking and goal-oriented”, says Megan. Her dad is impressively in charge of the production team for the Texas Stars and Austin Spurs. Megan loves going to Stars and Spurs games whenever she can.

Megan Hall is a unique and ambition person and if you ever earn the privilege to know her, consider yourself lucky.