Aboussie letter: DACA
We are raised to believe that the “American Dream” is our right and that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are ideals which we can achieve as long as we are dedicated to working for them. However, we are currently sending the message that if you were born on the other side of our borders, these opportunities do not belong to you. No matter how hard you are willing to work, how much you sacrifice, or how much love and pride you have poured into this country, it is not legally yours and we will take it from you.
However, there is a gray area to consider in this scenario and it deals with undocumented adolescents and young adults who need the chance to succeed but were brought across our border as children. Many have gone to school here alongside our children, they are our neighbors, business leaders and members of our military. These young people did not ask to be in their present circumstances, but here they find themselves. I hope that we can continue to support these community members and that we continue to be a country that leads from a place of compassion, love and understanding.
Lauren Symmonds Aboussie, Boise
This story was originally published September 13, 2017 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Aboussie letter: DACA."