Reayanul Haque

Professor Alyssa Yankwitt

Writing for the Social Sciences

Interview Essay Reflection

20th March 2020.

    DACA is a program that deports undocumented immigrants from the United States. President Barack Obama started the DACA program in 2014 to expand the undocumented immigrants. So many people got deported because of this. I had an opportunity to interview one of my classmates who used to belong to the DACA program. Ana is a very intelligent, brave, strong and opinionated woman. For our interview, Ana decided to meet at the library. We sat facing each other. Ana was wearing a grey sweater. I also noticed she wore a gold necklace that matched perfectly with her outfit. I started the interview by asking her about her childhood. Ana came to the United States at the age of 5 from Mexico with her mother. “I applied for DACA when I was 14. I started to get my stuff ready to apply because I had to be 15 to apply. A week after my birthday I went to an office and started the application process” Ana says in a soft tone. Her family moved to the United States because they wanted Ana and her siblings to get a better life and education that they wouldn’t get in Mexico. 

             My interactions changed over time because it was very interesting to know all the things about DACA that I didn’t know before. Ana says, “Someone who is a DACA recipient is called a “Dreamer.” They were brought to the country illegally as a child and can stay in the U.S plus they are also permitted to legally work.” Ana couldn’t receive any type of financial aid unless it was a private scholarship. But now she’s able to receive TAP and get in-state tuition. Applying to college was different, DACA has bettered her life in so many ways including her higher education. Ana doesn’t feel safe all the time because she has a fear that they might get deported anytime but it didn’t stop Ana from dreaming and achieving things for herself and her family. There are some organizations for the DACA recipients who come out and protest, join groups, if they want, they also can donate money. “I would like the government to find a way for us to gain permanent legal status but I’m not sure how feasible that is at this time,” says Ana. Ana tried to keep a positive attitude about being in the program. My point of view changed when Ana said, “I am very positive about my hopes that things will be good and my family and I will be safe.” I felt great after interviewing her and very thankful to Ana for taking his time to ask my questions. I got to know so many things about DACA that I didn’t know before the interview. This assignment was very enjoyable for me because I get to know about my classmates and their subculture.

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