Editor’s note: This is one of a series of community profiles by Boyle Heights Beat youth reporters in response to President Trump’s decision to rescind the DACA program announced Sept. 6.
Rosario Bonilla
Boyle Heights Beat
My name is Fabi and I’m 20. I live in Boyle Heights. I’ve been here for a little over ten years. I was originally born in Durango, Mexico. I came here around 4, and I’ve lived here ever since.
What were your initial feelings about the DACA announcement?
Well let’s be honest, I wasn’t shocked that he would pull something like this. At first I just didn’t know what to think. Then my body went into sadness. I felt really sad about what was happening. Then it went into fear, then into anger. That all happened within the span of a few hours. I was a ball of emotions, essentially. I didn’t really have one thing to feel about it. I was mad, I was sad, I was angry, but I don’t think I was shocked.
How has this week been for you?
To be honest, I’ve lived with this fear my entire life, so living with it again is nothing new to me. I’m not worried at all because I’ve been worried my entire life. I really don’t feel like my life has really changed. DACA did bring some sort of security that I had for a few years. I didn’t feel scared or as worried anymore, but this happened, and I got scared and worried again, but it’s not anything new to me. I’m not shocked. I guess i’m just trying to cope with it and just move on.
What information would be most helpful to you?
Just knowing that other government officials are trying to save this program. He’s the president of the United States, he is supposed to speak for the people. So hopefully other government officials can actually do that, and let him see that this is not what the people want and that he needs to change it. It shouldn’t be a matter of political sides, it should be a matter of what is right.
What would you like to see your community do to respond?
I think my community is really stepping up to the play. I think more communities should really follow the example that, not only Boyle Heights, but the Dolores Mission community puts forth. You know, having these immigration clinics, having these resources put out to people. A lot of communities don’t really support not only Dreamers, but immigrants, in the way that ours does. So let’s have the community show their support for the people who live in it I think that would be helpful to the people who need it.
Is there anything else you want to add?
To be hopeful about something better. We’ve kind of been living in turmoil for the past few months but were not going to give up. It’s going to get better and everything will hopefully turn out okay.
Rosario Bonilla is a Senior at Óscar de la Hoya Ánimo Charter High School.
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