In wake of a recent Supreme Court deadlock on President Obama's immigration plan, one San Diego resident says she continues to fear being deported.
“It's an everyday thing," said San Diegan Lucero Maganda. "You wake up you are not certain what is going to happen."
Thursday, the Supreme Court handed down a tie vote on the president's immigration plan that would have shielded millions living in the U.S. illegally from deportation.
The vote ended, at least temporarily, the president's effort to provide protections for parents of children who are in the country legally and an expansion of the program that benefits people who were brought to this country as children.
Thousands in San Diego were keeping a close eye on what the Supreme Court would do in this case. Many were hoping for an outcome that would help immigrant families facing the constant threat of deportation.
Because of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Maganda is pursuing her dreams at San Diego Mesa College.
“I hope to help the community, I would like to make a difference,” said Maganda.
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She wants a better life for her family.
“My mom is a janitor, she actually works during the night she goes in at 7 p.m., comes out at 2 or 3 in the morning,” said Maganda.
Maganda was hoping for a positive decision from the Supreme Court so her mother could get some relief from the threat of being deported at any time.
The Maganda family is from Guerrero, Mexico, but left when she was 9.
“Going back doesn't feel like going back because you haven't been there,” she explained.
Maganda isn't alone. More than 100,000 people in San Diego would have benefited from the immigration programs DACA and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA)
“It's really sad that there so many people in San Diego county alone that will not be able to benefit from these programs,” said Itzel Guillen of Alliance San Diego.
For now, immigration organizations and some residents like Maganda say they will not lose hope.
“This is only a small battle, yes, we are angered,"said Laura Morena of Unite Here Local 30. "But it doesn't mean that we give up. On the contrary, it gives us a little more fuel to keep doing what we are doing."
Maganda said she hopes one day to have those who live in fear living out of the shadows.
“It's the hardest days when you keep the faith alive,” said Maganda.
