By Anyra Cano

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the “Leading the Way Conference,” hosted by the National Immigration Forum (NIF). This event brought together law enforcement, faith leaders, and business executives to discuss the profound impact of immigration across various sectors. Speakers included economists, business leaders, sheriffs, police, border security officers, and faith leaders. A shared concern among all these groups was the urgent need to protect DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and ensure the safety of DREAMers from deportation. Each year, advocates working on behalf of immigrants gather in Washington, D.C. for this important event.

One of the highlights of the conference was a panel featuring Reyna Montoya, a DACA recipient and the founder and CEO of Aliento, an Arizona-based nonprofit that supports DREAMers and undocumented immigrants. Through her work with various coalitions, Reyna helped pass legislation allowing DREAMers to pay in-state tuition. Despite facing the threat of deportation herself, Reyna continues to serve her community and fight for immigrant rights.

That evening, the National Immigration Forum honored several outstanding individuals with the “Keepers of the American Dream” award, recognizing their contributions to making our communities and country better for immigrants. One of the honorees was Officer Mitchell Soto Rodriguez, a DACA recipient and police officer with the Blue Island, IL Police Department. Against the odds of her immigration status, Officer Soto Rodriguez pursued her dream of becoming a police officer. In May of this year, she testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighting the many ways DREAMers enrich their communities.

The stories of Reyna Montoya and Officer Soto Rodriguez are powerful reminders of the resilience and dedication of DREAMers—individuals not only striving to live out their own dreams but also creating opportunities for others to do the same. Their selfless work is a testament to the kind of citizens DREAMers are and the positive impact they have on our country. They inspired me to continue advocating for the more than 300,000 DACA recipients and the many other DREAMers who contribute so much to our nation.

The following day, I joined a delegation from Texas to meet with members of Congress. I carried the stories of these DREAMers—along with others from my personal life—to their offices, emphasizing the urgent need to protect them from the threat of mass deportation. I reminded lawmakers that any adverse decisions regarding DACA not only affect DREAMers but also our communities as a whole. DREAMers work in critical sectors such as law enforcement, healthcare, non-profits, business, education, and more, and many are parents to U.S. citizens.

At the conclusion of the panel discussion with Reyna Montoya, she was asked to offer some words of hope. Her response was both brilliant and inspiring: “The hope is in your hands, what will you do?” While the future of DACA and DREAMers remains uncertain, one thing is clear: our Christian witness and advocacy will be essential in the months ahead. We will continue to keep you informed about this crucial issue and hope you will join us in supporting DREAMers—fighting to ensure they remain in the country they call home.