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UTSA Student On Being “DACAmented”

Crystal Chavez
UTSA junior Diego Mancha

On Fronteras:

-- Diego Mancha is a UT San Antonio student. His mother brought him to this country illegally as a child. About two years ago, Diego was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — or DACA — status. He says it changed his life. We’ll hear his story.

-- We’ll also meet a North Texas high school student from Guatemala, who’s juggling school and work. It’s worth it all to her, as she’s getting a fresh start after escaping violence back home.

-- Also, Fronteras commentator Yvette Benavides shares childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day. She tells us about the interesting way her father scored the family table’s centerpiece.

College Student Diego Mancha on Being “DACAmented”

The President’s executive action on immigration is affecting families across the nation. Some people are still processing exactly what the news means for their lives. Diego Mancha is a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He’s been in the U.S. for 12 years now. When he was nine years old, his mother fled Mexico City in search of a better life.

Diego is currently re-applying for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, status. He’s been under the program’s protection from deportation for about two years. Diego came to Texas Public Radio this week to share his story. He says he’s hopeful his paperwork will be approved again.

Student from Guatemala Escaped Violence For A Fresh Start In Texas

Dilcia Mazariegos is one of thousands of Central American youngsters to have made the dangerous trek north in recent years. And just like many others, she’s finding her way through the public school system. As part of KERA’s American Graduate series “Generation One,” Stella Chavez introduces us to this Plano high school student from Guatemala.

Thanksgiving Memories, A Marksman’s Pride on Winning the Family Meal

With another Thanksgiving Day come and gone, Fronteras commentator, Yvette Benavides, shares childhood memories of the unusual way her father provided the family with the centerpiece of their Thanksgiving meal. Her father was a marksman, and  a member of the Laredo Rifle and Pistol club. Sunday after Sunday, he skipped church, but came home with award ribbons. In November, Yvette remembers, the stakes went up. The rewards from the target tournament, this time of the year, yielded the family a freezer full of frozen birds, and memories for a lifetime.

 

Crystal Chavez was Texas Public Radio’s Morning Edition host for three years, until January 2015.