Maria Gonzalez is an undocumented student studying sociology at the Illinois Institute of Technology where she co-founded the student organization Undocumented Students and Allies. She came to the United Stated at the age of eight along with her parents and siblings looking for an opportunity for a better life. Her parents’ sacrifice of leaving behind their country, family, and everything they knew inspired Maria to pursue a college education. After meeting a person who was currently undergoing deportation proceedings and seeing the undocumented student movement that happened to stop the deportation, Maria realized how vulnerable undocumented people were and how powerful they could become if organized. Even though no one in her family has been put in deportation proceedings, she believes that, “We don’t need to wait for the separation and suffering of our own families to happen to take action on a problem that directly affects all of us. If all undocumented immigrants took action, these families wouldn’t be separated through cruel deportations and immigration reform would have happened long time ago.”
NotOneMoreDeportation.com is a campaign made of individuals, organizations, artists, and allies to expose, confront, and overcome unjust immigration laws.
As the immigration debate continues, #Not1More enters the discussion from the place that touches people in concrete ways and can offer tangible relief. By collectively challenging unfair deportations and unjust policy through organizing, art, legislation, and action, we aim to reverse criminalization, build migrant power, and create immigration policies based on principles of inclusion.
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I want to be part of the movement to stop deportations and win inclusion.