Things that DACA has made possible for me

Reflecting today while I am still in the renewal process, I am able to say that because of DACA, I was able:

-Get a drivers license
-Buy a car
-Not being afraid of applying for jobs I am qualified for
-Travel with a sense of peace and security
-I have several credit cards and a car loan
-Recent credit card was approved for $10k
-Getting carded and proudly pulling out a proper ID!

On another note, I still wish I could travel overseas with friends when they ask me to go vacation and not having to make up excuses as to why I can't. Growing up in the USA without being legal has placed this shame and stigma on me that I am trying to relieve myself of. I'm sure you all know the feeling...

With Daca i finally learned to stop making the "Im gonna do a,b and c" when I get my EAD excuse. I learned it wasnt my lack of a EAD holding me back it was depression, scariness and laziness

What bank?

-Get a drivers license
-Travel with a sense of peace and security
-Getting carded and proudly pulling out a proper ID
-Get a job
-Take courses under company's expense

pretty much everything except voting, taking out loans and traveling outside of US.

Good for you!

I've also been able to travel, both alone and with my boyfriend, and he got a full time job thanks to this program. After 7 years at the community college I was finally able to transfer to a 4yr university and I'm almost done with that BA. I will probably cry when I finally walk. No lie.

However, I find that one of the greatest things this program has brought me is the freedom and confidence to tell people that I am undocumented. I have worked for the same restaurant for 10 years and kind of "came out" as DACAmented last year. They all assumed, being fair-skinned and perfectly fluent in English and Spanish, that I had my citizenship. It has been such a liberating experience to not have this secret from my co-workers, because we are like a family and it has always weighed on me to let them believe that lie. It's so nice that they know my situation and a few people have felt comfortable coming to me for advice about how to make this change in their lives and about my process and tips on passing their DL tests, etc. It really just has lifted this weight off my shoulders.

I feel like I can hold my head up, no matter what, because I have that ID now. That is a blessing I cannot emphasize enough. =)

Sorry you had to deal with all of that. I was able to do things without my EAD. I traveled a lot but TSA agents will pull me aside because my passport didn't have any stamps (renewal after other one expired). I had a really good job but it wasn't getting me anywhere and every other job I applied for that I was qualified for asked for proof work authorization.

Chase. I have another credit card with them that I maintained for 8 months and received a limit increase at the 6 month mark. Applied for the Freedom card and was approved for $10k.

It's one of the greatest blessings ever!

had always wanted to travel and go to a big music festival i did it last year where i met lots of nice random people. who didnt care about my status i was just another living soul seeking adventure and good vibes while jamming to great music. if you wanna experience it go to bannaroo people from all over the world come even the hipster mexicans

Almost ten months since I was approved for DACA, and although times have been tough, I can say that I had not felt better and at peace, than since I moved to the US (about 15 years ago); with this 'change of life' I have been able to:

-Feel FREE, or at least as much freedom as possible
-Renew my driver's license
-Travel within the US to one of the cities I always wanted to visit, NYC (and I wanna go back as soon as possible )
-Resign from the job I held for too long, in an extremely toxic environment
-Apply for jobs almost anywhere (and get rejected too )
-Get hired

Without a doubt, feeling 'free' has been what has given me a new outlook in life (after having gone through some dark times). Also, I didn't have to stand the environment in which I was working at, their bad treatment, and so I left. Being able to take that choice, just being able to have THE choice to resign, gives you more empowerment and worth.

What's next? Hopefully get a job in which I can utilize my full potential and experience, graduate with a bachelor degree, and maybe start a MBA a semester after I graduate.