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DACA From the Beginning
Posted on Sep 13 2018
Gail Martinson came to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota back in 2012, as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was just beginning. Since then, she has handled more than 1,600 DACA cases, “mothering” some of her clients as they grow from high school and college students to young adults and parents. Co-workers recall hearing her lectures to young clients about avoiding any infractions of the law, however minor, and about the importance of education. She has shared graduations and weddings and baptisms, and cried tears of joy and sorrow with young Dreamers.
Now Gail is leaving ILCM, but her departure does not signal an end for DACA in the office. ILCM will continue to represent her clients, to assist DACA recipients filing for renewals, and to hope and work for the day when a broad DREAM Act is passed by Congress.
One year after the Trump/Sessions attempt to end DACA, the program still survives. In lawsuits filed in federal courts across the country, DACA recipients have challenged the attempt to shut down the program, and four federal judges have ordered that renewals may continue. While no new applications are allowed at this time, people who have had DACA at any time since 2012 can apply for renewal.
As DACA continues and Gail moves on, she has the same advice for colleagues and clients: “Never give up. Never lose hope. No matter how difficult the challenges, keep on fighting for your rights, for your place in the world, and for justice.”