SAN MARCOS — The website GoFundMe.com is helping DREAMers pay for their DACA renewals -- a new source of hope for tens of thousands of people living in limbo.
Edna Gonzalez is a junior at Texas State University in San Marcos. She says if it wasn't for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] program, she wouldn't be able to afford studying here.
"I've been living in the United States all of my life," Gonzalez said. "This is all I've known."
Gonzales was only 3 years old when her parents moved to Southeast Texas, where she later graduated from Port Neches-Groves High School.
At heart, she says she's always been an American, despite the fact that it's not official on paper.
"In some ways, it makes me feel like I'm not part of this country because I was raised here and this is all I know," she said.
Gonzalez is one of the nearly 800,000 DREAMers currently under the DACA program, which is only granted to undocumented immigrants who pass a background check, meet specific requirements, and pay a certain fee.
"My DACA expires next year. There's always that 'what if' I can't renew it," she said.
There may be hope in paying for it, however. GoFundMe has launched a special fund to help pay the nearly $500 DACA renewal fee.
"To have GoFundMe do something like that, it makes me feel like the community is pushing behind for progress in our current situation," Gonzalez explained.
This initiative is lifting a burden for many people like her.
Gonzalez hopes Congress reacts so other people in her same position have the opportunity to help contribute back to their communities.
If you are interested in helping Gonzalez pay for her DACA renewal, CLICK HERE for a link to the GoFundMe page.