Mateo’s Path from DACAista to Green Card Holder

In Oregon, education happens everywhere. According to Willamette Week’s Give!Guide Education category, "it’s in maker spaces, libraries, community centers, gardens, art studios, rehearsal studios, and everywhere curiosity has room to grow.” The nonprofits dedicated to making education accessible show us that learning is everywhere and should be available to everyone.

That’s why Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) matters. DACA opens doors to education and opportunity for more than 11,000 young people living in Oregon. According to the Center for American Progress, nearly half of DACA recipients say the program helped them pursue higher education, contributing to improved well-being for DACAistas and boosting their economic contributions to the communities where they live, work, and learn.

Take Mateo’s story. For years, Mateo* lived with the uncertainty that comes with being a DACA recipient. A longtime DACista and ICS client, Mateo had built a life in the United States alongside his loving wife of over a decade, a U.S. citizen. But despite his deep roots in the community, the path to permanent security remained just out of reach. In 2024, ICS helped Mateo travel to Mexico to attend his grandfather’s funeral, an emotional journey made possible through process known as Advanced Parole that allows DACAistas to leave the country and return lawfully. Upon re-entry to the United States, Mateo received the grant of admission he needed to finally adjust his immigration status and attain his green card, which he received earlier this year.

Mateo’s DACA status and years of legal help from ICS provided access to education, ability to work, and now – a stable future. Now, Mateo no longer has to renew DACA or his work permit every two years. He can travel freely without needing special permission. And in just three years, as the spouse of a U.S. citizen, he’ll be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. When asked about his experience with ICS, Mateo told us, “You guys did an awesome job, and I am beyond thankful for everything you did. I really can't thank you enough.”

Supporting accessible education for all makes stories like Mateo’s possible. It shows that Oregonians value the community is the classroom, and everyone is invited.

*Note: Names and details in this story have been altered to protect the client’s identity.