She teaches 3- and 4-year-old
kids who are deaf or hard of hearing. She teaches kids with
disabilities. Here is what she said about DACA, the program that was
abolished by President Trump, which allows her to live in the United
States and to work as a teacher:
DACA made me visible. DACA made it possible for me to teach
children who are deaf and hard of hearing. I am helping these
students and families on their journey to being able to
communicate and achieve their dreams. Before I didn't think I
had a voice, but now I do. . . . I get to change lives every
single day. Twenty thousand other DACA students and recipients like Karen are
teachers in our schools. Because DACA was repealed, Texas stands to
lose 2,000 teachers. I ask the State of Texas: Are you ready to lose
Karen? Are you ready to lose 2,000 more just like her because the
Senate and the House of Representatives refused to act, refused to
legislate, refused to provide protection to her? As for Karen, her DACA expires in August of next year. This will be
her last school year. If Congress doesn't step up and meet its
responsibility and pass the Dream Act, her time teaching these deaf and
hard of hearing children will come to an end.