Monica Fontaine is an aspiring activist, she has always been around social advocacy in her community, but she has never been the voice of a cause. This will be the first time that she will hold a public role in a social cause. With the help of her university and her peers she has the chance to speak for others that cannot speak for themselves in a public setting. Monica believes heavily in equality and human rights. She was inspired to start advocating by the issues that occur every day, she feels that every person deserves to be heard no matter who they are, what they look like, or where they are from. The topic of chain immigration was brought to Monica’s attention through her English class at the university that she attends. This is topic that she feels that most people are not aware about, she wants to help educate people about chain immigration.
Dannie Harlow, also known as D.H, is an African American student currently attending a university in Memphis. D.H currently resides in Memphis, Tennessee. She aspires to learn how to be an effect advocate and use her newly learned skills to improve various issues in her community. In the past, D.H’s passion of social justice was slim to none. She has realized that there is a need for change and is ready to do the necessary research to make it happen, by being an advocate. Many ask the question, what is advocacy? She has learned that is a clear difference in activism and advocacy. D.H defines it as, “social action that emphasizes change, empowerment, and restating unequal power relations.” After the recent events in the news, D.H began to take interest in the issues many immigrants face. D.H became enthralled to learn more about the issues being raised. D.H is has learned that there is more to the phrase “chain migration”. This immigration policy is the wonderful opportunity of reuniting families and should be addressed as so. D.H’s goal is directly focus on ‘family reunification” and be well researched on the focus at hand.
Benicio is an undocumented student currently majoring in visual arts at a university in Memphis, Tennessee. Originally from Mexico City, Benicio emigrated to the United States when he was just a year old. He grew up in the state of Georgia, the place he identifies as home. Although Benicio always knew he was not American, his immigration status was not explained to him until the 3rd grade and he did not completely understand the impact that being undocumented had on his life until he was in middle school. He learned that he did not have the same rights that his American friends had such as in-state tuition. When Benicio became a sophomore in high school, he applied for the DACA program, which would grant him temporary protected status as well as the ability to drive and work legally in this country. Since becoming a “DACAmented” immigrant he has done whatever possible to spread awareness about this issue, whether it is participating in marches or engaging in public speaking.
Daniel Lester is a young African American student enrolled at CBU. Lester has always had a passion for assisting others and helping to find resolutions to many problems. From making changes in his high school to volunteering in organizations, such as Latino Memphis, Lester has always found some way to give back to society and the community he lives in. Upon seeing the problems and hardship of his friends and strangers alike, he has begun to speak for those that can’t or are too afraid to let their voice be heard. Believing that everyone should be treated the same and with an equal amount of respect, Lester is eager to be able to make a difference in society through his efforts. He has recently been interested in the topic of Chain Migration and the effects it has on the people involved. He believes that the more people that know about a subject like Chain Migration, the less people will be subjected to false information about it. He hopes to change the way people see each other and to educate the public about matters in society.
Raquel was born in San Salvador, El Salvador but resides in Memphis, Tennessee. Raquel is not a native when it comes to activism. She has worked with local organizations like Latino Memphis to educate and fight for tuition equality. She is also an advocate for civil rights. She is currently enrolled in a small university studying finance with political science. She aspires to go to law school and use her law degree to educate as well as protect minorities against exploitation and/or their status in this country. Raquel speaks for the voiceless, the ones that are not ready to come out of the shadows. Raquel is very family-oriented. She believes everyone deserves to be with their family, so the topic of chain immigration is very close to her heart.
Keeping Families Together 