Ambar Pinto, 23, undocumented with DACA. Migrated from Bolivia and currently a resident of Virginia. Changes in property laws in Bolivia put her family into deep economic distress. As a result, Ambar and her family moved to her mother’s country, Mexico. Unfortunately, the economic prospects in that country were not positive either. Her dad had to leave for the United States and after nearly two years of being apart, the family reunited in the state of Virginia. Ambar remembers how hard it was in the beginning; her family had to share a room since they could not afford a place for themselves. She also recounts how she could barely see her dad since he had to leave for work early in the morning and arrive late at night.
Ambar was well aware of her status as an undocumented immigrant in the US, which led her to talk to counselors and organize in school. She co-founded a student organization called Dreamers of Virginia and was in the Board of Directors of another youth organization called Edufuturo. Her hard work and leadership was quickly noticed by her school, organizations, media and even the office of Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), who invited her to the State of the Union Address in February of 2013.
After the creation of DACA, Ambar was able to finally obtain a driver’s licence, health insurance, pay in-state tuition, apply for jobs, internships and travel. Most importantly, DACA, emboldened her even more to fight for the rights of other undocumented immigrants. Today, she is the Deportation Defense Hotline Manager at UWD and she is looking to transfer to a four-year university. She is committed to keep working for the undocumented immigrant community, but also for those who are discriminated against because of the color of their skin, identity or religion.