The subject of this article, known as "M.B.F." to protect his identity, is one of nine DACA-eligible New Yorkers who are individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit (open in new tab) filed against the Trump Administration. The lawsuit was filed despite the Supreme Court's June 18, 2020 ruling in favor of the program (opens in new tab), and despite the July 28, 2020 announcement by Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf that "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Childhood Arrivals (DACA)," the first legal challenge (opens in new tab) to the full text of the memo (opens in new tab) to dismantle it. The memo directs U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to deny all initial DACA applications, deny all applications by DACA recipients for permission to travel outside the United States on advance parole except in very narrow circumstances, and reduce renewals and work authorizations to one year. Here, in her own words, 18-year-old M.B.F. describes how she is dealing with the Trump administration's attacks on DACA and what this election means for her future.

I moved from the Dominican Republic to Queens, New York when I was four years old. I was very young, so I don't remember much about when I came to live here, but I consider this my home. It's the only home I've ever known. I was in high school when I found out I was undocumented. My friends were applying for jobs, so I wanted to apply too. Then my mother told me it was a bad idea. I was shocked and my heart was breaking. I didn't believe my mother when she told me. The rest of my life that I had planned was ruined. I would no longer live here; I would have to create another life scenario. I couldn't believe it. Like, what does it mean not to live here, what does it mean not to get a job? I felt useless.

It was a few days before I turned 15 that I learned that the Trump administration was going to end DACA (in 2017). I didn't really understand it until my mother explained it to me. My mother had prepared a folder with my school papers and other documents. I remember asking my mother, "Is this the one you just told me I could work?" I remember asking. But by the time I realized I could apply, it was too late. My mother told me that we were going to fight this and that there were others who were going to fight it."

When I heard that the Supreme Court ruled (open in new tab) [in favor of DACA] in the summer, I was very excited. When I got home from school, the first thing I did was call my mother. My mom came home [from work] and called our attorney to see if there was any problem with my filing, and by the time she heard the new memo against DACA, she had already filed the paperwork. My mother was still hopeful, but in my mind, another stone had been thrown at me. I felt useless. I recently received a notice in the mail to appear in immigration court: if I don't receive DACA by the age of 18 1/2 (March 2021), I must leave the country.

Before I knew I was undocumented, I remember joining a debate club at school and talking about how I couldn't wait until my vote was counted. It was very upsetting not being able to officially vote. But thankfully, most of my friends do. So I have just guided and motivated them. They themselves are motivated and willing to vote for me because they know my situation and take it personally. My whole life depends on this election. Whatever happens will determine how I move forward. My entire future. The future of my country. I feel like I'm in a movie.

As soon as I heard about the [immigrant youth lawsuit], I wanted to get involved [as a plaintiff]. I can't vote, so this way I can help fight for what I believe in. I have always wanted to be a lawyer and I am studying for it in college. Hopefully we will win the lawsuit and finally get the respect and rights we have been seeking.

The last three years have definitely been a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. But I have hope. I would definitely go through this again if I could help others as well as myself. I'm hoping for a better outcome. In the meantime, I will be sharing posts through social media and keeping up with the debate. I am also reaching out to those who are questioning (the vote).

As for DACA itself, I hope that the program will continue to be open for those who have the program as they are able to accept first time applicants. I would say to other undocumented immigrants who are waiting to qualify for DACA, keep fighting and keep hoping. Do not fall into the trap of thinking, as I did, that your life is over. Keep believing. You will see the light in the end.

For more immigration legal resources, click here (opens in new tab) and here (opens in new tab). You can also help fund the fight for DACA by donating to organizations such as United We Dream (opens in new tab), TheDream.US (opens in new tab), and Make the Road New York (opens in new tab).