For the past four years, I’ve been serving authentic Mexican dishes I grew up eating — from huaraches de bistec to enchiladas rojas — to my Staten Island neighbors. Every day, I work 14-hour shifts, training my staff, handling paperwork, and staying updated on regulations, all while navigating the challenges of being a female entrepreneur. As the first business owner in my family, I’m living the American dream. But every day, anxiety and fear haunt me, knowing all I’ve worked for could vanish in an instant with a single court decision.
Last September, a Texas federal judge declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program unconstitutional. This decision leaves nearly 100,000 people whose DACA applications won’t be processed, jeopardizing their chances of living a stable life.
Now, it’s impossible to truly plan for me and my family’s future. With the ruling most likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, DACA recipients like myself continue to live in uncertainty, unsure of the programs’ future. Our ability to build meaningful futures, pursue education, grow our businesses, and contribute to our communities hangs in the balance on the outcome of another court decision.
When DACA began 12 years ago today, it offered protections to undocumented immigrants brought here as children. It allowed hundreds of thousands to emerge out of the shadows, have a voice and identity, and contribute to our economy without the threat of deportation. DACA enabled a new generation to pursue their dreams, following in their parents’ footsteps. DACA gave us hope.
I arrived from Mexico with my family when I was 7-years-old. Together, we established our roots in our new home of New York City, a city that symbolizes hope, prosperity, and opportunity for my family. Then, in 2013, my life transformed when I received DACA which offered me a life free from fear.
Since being granted DACA, I have opened my restaurant, San Jeronimo Restaurant and Bakery, in Port Richmond, the neighborhood that raised me alongside my family. Together, we bring the taste of Mexico to Staten Island through our dishes, the same dishes that bring me comfort during times of uncertainty.
I am proud to be one of the more than 12,000 DACA recipients who have built their own businesses, earned a living by pursuing their passions, and contributed to their communities by supporting the local economy.
While DACA gave me the opportunity to become a business owner, it has also presented significant challenges in my plans for the future of my restaurant. The ongoing legal battle surrounding DACA has only added to the instability, making it difficult to plan long-term decisions. My contracts with distributors and licenses require legal status, meaning that I could lose my business if DACA ends.
I carry the responsibility for my staff’s future, as their livelihoods are also at risk. My employees, who have become family, dedicate their lives to supporting my business. Just as I do, they have their own families to care for.
Despite being American in every sense of the word and having made significant contributions to society, as DACA recipients, we realize the sense of belonging is only temporary. We exist under constant threat as the legality of our existence is debated in courtrooms. The fate of more than 835,000 DACA recipients rests in the hands of judges.
The past 11 years have been draining as I’ve grappled with the exhausting reality of how my immigration status could bring an end to my business, destroying the foundation I worked so hard to build in the United States.
While 66% of Americans believe that DACA recipients deserve a pathway to citizenship, we continue to fight for permanent status. Temporary relief is not the solution. Twelve years of living in limbo is far too long for individuals and families seeking clarity and security in their status. We can’t afford another year without Congress taking action to provide real solutions. It’s time for real change.
Congress must prioritize establishing a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented individuals across the country, ensuring their future and safety. As a DACA recipient and business owner, my restaurant and my employees’ livelihoods rely heavily on my legal status. A pathway to citizenship is the only solution.
Millions of DACA recipients share this uncertainty. We deserve the opportunity to build stable lives, establishing a foundation of safety and hope that paves the way for future generations to flourish. It’s time for elected officials to recognize the importance of the contributions of DACA recipients in the only country that has ever really been home.
Marquez is a DACA recipient and owner of a Mexican restaurant and bakery on Staten Island.
