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Stories

DACA Recipient: Story 4

My name is Brandon Rodriguez Ornelas and I am a DACA recipient. I’m currently working and a student at the University of Memphis. I am majoring in Nursing and in Spanish. I was born in Mexico City and brought to the United Stated when I was only months old. I grew up and live in Memphis, Tn. I was in my teens when I noticed that I was different from my friends. I noticed when I figured out that I couldn’t apply for a driver’s license when I knew that I was not able to leave the country and when I figured out that I couldn’t get a job. I would ask myself, why can’t I do these things? The simple answer was that I didn’t have a social security number. When my friends would tell me why I didn’t have a driver’s license or why I didn’t drive much I would just simply just tell them that I didn’t feel like driving or I didn’t want to get my license. I would tell them a lie, but deep down I really wanted to drive, have a job and be like everyone else.

Before I continue to tell more about my DACA situation, let me tell you how I was able to live every day being undocumented and how I got peace and joy for every time I felt scared, down, or hopeless.

When I was five years old I remember sitting down at church with my family and I remember the pastor saying, “If you feel pain, and are lonely you don’t have to be. God sent his son Jesus to this earth to live a perfect life and He was crucified and died but rose three days later to defeat sin. The only thing you have to do is say, “God I know that I haven’t been living for you, I know that I sin every day. God, I believe that you sent Jesus to die for me, and I want to follow you and know you.” I thank God that I was able to understand what the pastor was saying at such a young age.

That day I believe the Pastor was saying that God, the creator of everything even you and me, sent his only son to live a blameless life on this earth, to tell the people who his father, God, is and how we should live to obey God. The people and the religious leaders at that time didn’t like what he was sharing. They hated and tried to get Jesus to stop saying who God really is. The people and the religious leader tried to stop him by killing, crucifying, Jesus, but that did not stop Him. Jesus rose three days later defeating sin and Jesus became a gate way for salvation. They only thing we have to do is to acknowledge that we are not perfect and ask God for forgiveness for not obeying Him. Once we ask for forgiveness we need to read and understand the Bible.

When I heard the news that DACA will be rescinded in six months I was scared and my heart sank. At the time, I couldn’t understand what was going on, but I later remembered that God has everything under control. Matthew 6:25-34 came to my mind when I was sad. The verse says not to worry about tomorrow for our God in heaven provides. The key in these verses is in verse thirty-three it says, “But seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

My name is Brandon Rodriguez Ornelas and I want to tell you that whatever happens in the next six months, I encourage you to put your faith in God and see what He has in store for you. God is where you will find peace and joy.

 

Memphis immigration Project is a faith-based organization that exists to inspire the  Christian community and people of good will to love their Immigrant neighbor.

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