The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate in this race.
Five years ago today, President Obama initiated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, better known as DACA, giving hundreds of thousands of young immigrants a shot at living their American Dream. Today, DACA is under attack as Donald Trump threatens to rip away the legally protected status that has given so many young people a chance to thrive in this country.
I stand with immigrants. Fifty years ago, my parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in pursuit of the American Dream. For more than forty years, my father worked as a short-order cook and my mother cleaned houses. They worked hard so that my sister, my brother, and I could have a better life.
Thanks to their tireless work and sacrifice, I was able to attend MIT to earn my degree in Mechanical Engineering. And I’ve been able to honor them by giving back to my community and our country through public service.
In fact, in 1999, the same week I was sworn in as a member of the Los Angeles City Council, my mother was sworn in as a United States citizen (my dad became a citizen the year prior). That was pretty special.
Our story is just like the stories of so many other immigrant families in this country: A story of dreaming of a better future for your family and, through hard work and sacrifice, making that dream come true.
In California, over 561,000 young people are eligible to benefit from DACA. These are 561,000 people who go to school, work to help support their families, give back to their communities, and ultimately live a better life.
As the son of immigrants, I know firsthand how hard immigrants work and how much immigrants contribute to their communities and to our country. We need to embrace them and thank them, because we’re all better off for their contributions.
My parents came here hoping for a chance at a better life. I wouldn’t be where I am without their sacrifice and support. That’s why I’ll never stop fighting for immigrants’ rights and working to give them the protection and peace of mind they deserve.
Sign your name now to stand with immigrants and defend DACA >>
Thank you,
Alex Padilla
California Secretary of State
