By Maritzelena (Ritzy) Chirinos

I’m living the American Dream. I grew up in the beautiful state of North Carolina, graduated debt-free from Meredith College, worked in my community to help my neighbors, and now have a career I enjoy that allows me to serve others. I value the freedoms we have that allow us to succeed when we contribute to society. My dream could turn into a nightmare if our representatives in Congress do not act to protect immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, like me.

A federal judge in Texas is considering overturning a program called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I could be forced to leave my home and return to a country I barely remember if this judge rules against DACA. The only way to fully protect my place in North Carolina, a state I’m proud to call home, is for the Senate to pass legislation like the Dream Act, which would establish an earned pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and DACA-eligible individuals. Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis should think of the immigrants who have been working toward the American Dream for years while they consider this legislation. Our state has so much to lose if its 23,900 DACA recipients are told to leave the country that raised us. 

While the U.S. has afforded me incredible opportunities, it hasn’t been easy. I worked two jobs to support myself in college, all while volunteering and serving the community as a member of NC State’s Latin dance team. Like so many immigrants, I have a deep appreciation for America’s world class education system, and I knew the value of the degree I worked hard to obtain.

While I was raised most of my life in Durham, I was born in Venezuela. Once a country rich with natural resources and a vibrant population, a brutal dictator now rules the country and has crushed economic opportunity while using force to quell his political opposition.

DACA never was meant to be a permanent solution for people like me. But it’s been almost a decade and still Congress has not budged. Implemented nine years ago, DACA allows undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children the chance to earn temporary legal status if we were employed, in the military, or in school. In short, it has enabled me and about 700,000 people to work and become valuable members of the American fabric — something immigrants have been doing in this country for generations.

I was recently able to share my story during a virtual immigration roundtable that was led by leaders from across North Carolina. Moderated by a real estate professional, I joined the Chief of Police in Chapel Hill and the owner of a farm in Union County to discuss the importance of immigrants in our state. NC needs immigrants and immigrants need Congress to act to keep them here. DACA recipients in NC alone are working 7,600 essential jobs, adding $58 billion to our state’s balance sheet, and contributing more than $1 billion to the economy as a whole. The stakes are too high — our leaders must act to reform the immigration system.

After graduating college and spending time working for non-profits in Washington, D.C., I came back to the Durham area during COVID-19. I wanted to figure out how I could make a greater impact in the community where I grew up during an historic time of need. This city is where I belong. It’s where I feel at home. It is my home.

June is Immigrant Heritage Month in the United States and I am immensely proud to be an immigrant and honored to represent the millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our country. This month would be a perfect time for Senators Burr and Tillis to show their commitment to the economic and societal future of North Carolina by working to finally see real immigration reform become a reality in Congress.

I’m living the American Dream and consider myself an American, but still dream of finally being recognized as an American on paper.