In 2005, Mariana left Lima, Peru, at the age of 10 with her mother,
leaving her father and brothers behind for a safer life. She was in the high school IB program. Not until the 10th grade did
she realize that regardless of her excellent grades and involvement in
hundreds of hours of community service, her undocumented status would
be a hurdle to pursuing higher education. A few months before graduation, DACA--Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals--was a miracle. She would now be able to provide for her
family, drive, and no longer live in the shadows. Mariana enrolled in the University of Florida, but faced severe
financial difficulties due to her status.
Keywords matched
undocumented DACA