Rodrigo Beteta Gutierrez is a high school student, a musician and a DACA recipient. Read his story and find out what administrative relief like DACA has done for him, and what similar relief can do for the rest of his family and other families like his.
Rodrigo is 17 years of age but already dreams big. He’s a senior at Hamilton High School and will soon be applying to various four-year universities. His dream campus is the University of Pennsylvania where he will pursue a degree in political science.
Two years ago, Rodrigo received a DACA permit. His older brother, a UCLA visual arts and design student, is also a DACA recipient.
In 2002, Rodrigo’s father came to the US from El Salvador. His mother followed in 2004. Both parents worked in the medical industry as doctor and nurse respectively in their home country. In the US, Rodrigo’s father works as a welder but has also worked as cook and in the construction sector. His mother cleans homes.
“DACA has helped me get my first job and save money for college. I saw how my parents struggled to pay for my brother’s college applications, tuition, room and board, and books. It’s not a lot of money but it will help, especially with both of us in school.
My dad rarely goes to the doctor. Unless he’s truly sick, he will never stop working. One time, he got so sick that he had to take two days off work but because he doesn’t have health insurance, he couldn’t go to the doctor.
My mom misses working as a nurse. She tells me she misses helping others.
Administrative Relief that protects my mom and my dad and helps them when they are sick is important because they are getting older. I would feel better going away to school knowing that my dad is not at risk of getting too sick or either of them getting deported.
I see myself running for public office one day. I want to help people, my community. I want to be there for those who don’t have the resources to fend for themselves.”
This month, our activists are standing up to fight for families all across the country. We will make sure that President Obama hears our demands for relief. To get involved and find an event in your community, please visit StopSeparatingFamilies.org!
Rodrigo works with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). If you live in Southern California and want to get involved with CHIRLA, visit their website at CHIRLA.org.