MEET SOME ​TEXAS DREAMERS

Texas is home to more than 213,000 Dreamers, and they contribute $6 billion in GDP annually to the state’s economy. Meet some of the Dreamers who are part of our communities and the Texas workforce.​

Karina Alvarez
San Antonio, Texas

I’m a teacher and an educator in San Antonio, but my journey through school has not always been easy. As a Dreamer, my family faced many obstacles to ensure I received an education, which began when my mother registered me for Kindergarten and was told by a school administrator that I didn’t have a future if I was undocumented.  

When it came time to apply for college, I didn’t have the proper documentation and DACA had not yet been introduced, but I still managed to take classes and graduate. Now, I have my Masters in Education Leadership. I want to keep learning and one day be a principal or school administrator. I realized how important sharing my story is and want to continue to advocate for all Dreamers, who like myself, deserve an opportunity to pursue higher education and then give back to their community and economy.  

Texas Dreamers need far more certainty than what DACA provides, they need a federal Dream Act.
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Jesus Contreras
Houston, Texas

In 2016, I became a certified paramedic and have spent several years helping others in my community. Although I was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico- Houston, and these people that I help every day- are my home. 

After Hurricane Harvey, I spent seven days straight at work helping people in Houston restore their lives during a devastating time. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. There are over 300,000 DACA recipients that are a part of first response and healthcare efforts in the U.S. who are not only aiding those effected by the pandemic, but filling the a lack of first responders in the state. 

I’ve realized that the country has rallied behind us as immigrant healthcare providers and emphasized how crucial we are to the country. I love the fact that people acknowledge that, but now it’s time for a federal congressional solution and passing of the Dream Act. 
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Alberto Garcia
Dallas, Texas

I moved to Texas from Mexico when I was just six years old. My mother, single and with three children, moved to give us a better life. Despite many obstacles, I learned English, obtained a college degree here in Texas, purchased a home for my mother, and a year and a half ago started my own business in Dallas. I know firsthand how important Dreamers are to the success of Texas’ growth and our economy. 

I am one of 213,000 Texas Dreamers that have grown up here, attended and graduated from Texas schools, and now call the Metroplex home. I am also one of the 8,465 Dreamers who started and own a business, which has created jobs for our community. Dreamers are not only important to our state’s workforce, we are essential. But we need the same opportunities as all U.S. citizens to ensure we can continue to thrive and build a future. 

If our representatives care about the economic future of Texas, I ask them to support a federal Dream Act that recognizes the positive economic impact of Dreamers and provides us with a path to earn lawful status and continue contributing our talents to the great state of Texas.

Gibran Juarez
Dallas, Texas

I was born in Mexico, and brought to the U.S when I was just 3 months old.  At the age of 8, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This was a struggle for myself, and my family, as we were constantly worrying about how and where we were going to get my medication. As an undocumented child, these made our existing struggles even worse.

Growing up, I wanted to have the same opportunities as my friends and neighbors. The ability to drive with a Texas driver’s license, apply for a job without feeling scared or ashamed, being able to travel and leave the country, knowing that I can return without a problem. I have most of the same liberties and freedom that other people do, but not all. I remember thinking, “I don’t want to be scared anymore - I want to be a person with an identity.”

After graduating, I was a P.E teacher for several years, and recently joined FedEx. Shortly after joining, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.  As an essential worker, it’s a meaningful job because I know I’m helping people in the community who rely on our company for the things they need. I bet they don’t know a Dreamer is delivering their package. We are essential to the economy, and to keep businesses going.

Frontline workers, like myself, urge legislators to pass a federal Dream act to keep Texas safe, and our economy strong. 

Maria Rocha
San Antonio, Texas 

As an educator, I contribute to this country. There are about 2,000 teachers in Texas that are DACA recipients just like myself who are working to combat a teacher shortage in the state, and are improve education in our communities.

However, during my higher education experience, I faced many challenges. Because of DACA limitations, I dealt with many hardships and closed doors, including being told I would never become a teacher in this country because of my status. Here I am, six years later, not only an educator, but an educator that cares deeply about positively impacting the lives of my students. 

In the future I am going to continue teaching, with obtaining citizenship being part of the plan.  Citizenship should be a part of the plan for all Dreamers in Texas. That is why we need support for a federal Dream Act now. 
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