Belen

If you are reading this, I have been arrested in Washington, D.C. and will refuse to leave jail until Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Congressman Carlos Curbelo publicly confirm that they have whipped the votes to block any spending bill that does not include a Clean Dream Act.

During my time in jail I will be risking it all by facing possible detention and deportation by refusing to leave until our demands are met. In this moment, my head and my heart have told me that time has run out for empty promises from our political leaders, we need action now! As of today, I have 673 days until my work permit expires, it is time for those making the laws in our country to realize that DACA is no more and that every single day that they do not take action 122 undocumented youth lose protection, we cannot wait.

I did not make this decision lightly. Frankly, I am tired of being told that our dreams, our lives, and our families are not important enough to be at the top of the agenda. I am tired of living with the constant stress and anxiety of not knowing what my future will look like in the next few months. I am tired of seeing my friends crying, because they will be losing their ability to provide for their children, work, go to school, or live safely in the place they call home.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I did this for every undocumented person who feels voiceless, for every family that is scared for their children who had DACA, for those whose future is in the midst of uncertainty. You are on my mind and in my heart, everyday.

If I and 7 others can risk it all for something much bigger than ourselves, so can our political leaders who say they support us.

Share now to stand with Belen and the Dreamers on #JailStrike