Fears Prompt Gathering To Figure Out How To Keep The Dream Alive

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — "Keeping the dream alive" -- that was the center focus at Sacramento State on Monday.

The event brought influencers from around the Sacramento Valley to discuss immigration concerns, in light of Donald Trump winning the presidential election.

"My grandma couldn't afford to take care of my siblings so she brought me here to have a better life and future," said Martha Ancajas.

The last four years have been full of hard work and sacrifice for Martha.

She came to the U.S. four years ago, with her grandmother on a tourist visa from the Philippines, to pursue the American dream.

Now, Martha is at Sacramento State under the American Dream Act; the order gives conditional residency to undocumented students who come to the U.S. at an early age and graduate from a U.S high school or GED program.

"There's a lot of anxiety and uncertainty around the community right now."

Marcus Tang is an immigration attorney in Sacramento, and says his office was flooded with calls from worried immigrants just days after the election.

Outreach is now Tang's biggest priority.

"Right now we need to be in the community to inform undocumented immigrants on what to expect and what their rights are," Tang said.

Tang added those rights include the right to remain silent, and to not allow law enforcement to come into your home without a signed warrant.

Monday's summit at Sacramento State reinforced the urgency of keeping the dream alive for immigrant families and students.
For Martha, the dream is to become an advocate for the undocumented Asian-Pacific Islander community.

She says Trump is not going to derail her plans.

"I made a family here at Sacramento State, a family who accepts me even though I'm undocumented."

Martha is already getting a head start on her advocacy.

She created the "Define American" chapter at Sacramento State -- a group that empowers immigrant students to share their story of why they came to America.