By Guillermo Camarillo, Communications Intern, Stanford in Government Program Recipient

This past summer, I initiated a project exploring the personal stories of Chicago-area DACA recipients as part of my internship with the ACLU of Illinois’ communications department.  The aim of the project was to go beyond the complicated arguments regarding DACA’s constitutionality (though, it is). I wanted to emphasize that this program is about the livelihood, the aspirations, and the future of millions of immigrants. I hoped that by allowing recipients talk about the significance of DACA, we could give more agency to their stories, hopes and dreams.

My experience launching this project was humbling and a remarkable learning experience. Every step of the way, I learned something new. As someone who does not have DACA, I came to understand the meaning of DACA to each individual I interviewed. There were tears, smiles, frowns, and mixed emotions in every interview I conducted. There were unique stories of coming to the U.S. and of growing up in U.S. as well. But, above all, there was always that resilience exemplified in each individual I met. From individuals that attended top institutions to those that were not able to get a higher education, there was always hope of something better.

In many cases, that something better was DACA. DACA is what allowed many of these individuals to be their full, amazing selves. I say allow because I truly believe that DACA did not make these individuals amazing. They were already amazing before DACA but in many ways, were not able to be because they were restrained from taking advantage of many opportunities. DACA, in certain ways, allowed them to discover their own potential and at times be at an equal-playing field with their peers. As many mentioned in their interviews, they could be “normal” and take advantage of opportunities that those around them whom already had access.

This reflection is not to generalize the importance of DACA nor the experience of youth that are part of DACA per my few experiences with a handful of individuals I interviewed. Instead, I would like to emphasize that we must continue to allow those that are direct stakeholders of this issue to be the ones with the loudest voices in movements. Therefore, as allies, we must understand where we fall in this movement of defending DACA and work towards making the voices of those who will be most affected by DACA’s repeal heard.

With this, allies, I urge you to figure out your place in this movement by going directly to those that will be affected by DACA’s repeal and simply listen. In many cases listening is what may help us figure out where we fall in all of this.

To the legislators out there, I urge you to listen and understand the gravity of having a program like DACA for many youths.

For those that are on a crusade to end DACA, we will put up a fight.

Most importantly, for those that have DACA, you are not alone, we will stand and fight with you.  

By Maya Zimmerman

I am a proud transgender woman born and raised in Illinois. But that does not define me completely. I am also a runner, a knitter, and a musician. I love my wife, my son, and my dog.

Sadly, too many people see me not as that complete person, but only as someone who is transgender. The President disparages transgender soldiers in a series of tweets. Some state legislatures are pursuing oppressive, discriminatory “bathroom” bills. Often there is the daily fear of harassment, just walking down the street with my dog or to go to the store. And the threat of violence to me doesn't begin to compare to the threat of violence faced by trans women of color.

I live with this fear but I work hard to stay true to myself. And it’s important to me that my home state allows me to live a safe, fulfilling life—which includes updating all of my documents to reflect who I am so that I am acknowledged for who I am.

That is why I am thrilled that House Bill 1785 is now law and advances the Illinois Vital Records Act into the 21st t century. Going against the tide of anti-trans activity in other states, Illinois now allows the gender marker on a birth certificate to be changed after consultation with licensed medical professionals—without the mandate of surgery.

Before this law, Illinois—using a standard that was set in 1955—required individuals to undergo surgery in order to change the gender marker on their birth certificate. Now, Illinois law recognizes the great advancements in medical knowledge over the past six decades and updates its requirements to be consistent with today’s standards of care for transgender individuals.

The modern medical community understands that while surgery is sometimes part of a transgender person’s journey, it is not something that everyone is comfortable pursuing or needs as part of their transition. Instead, transgender individuals decide after talking with medical professionals what is the appropriate treatment for them—treatment that is individualized for each person’s particular circumstances.

I have contemplated surgery and discussed this option with my physician. But it’s extremely expensive and the cost has been a roadblock for me. Some individuals cannot undergo surgery at all because of medical reasons, while others simply do not need it. The decision to have surgery or not is one each person should be able to make for themselves, based on their own circumstances with guidance from a doctor. Not having surgery should not be used by the government to deny a person their identity.

Under the old Illinois law, those of us who did not have surgery were left with differing identification documents and at the risk of being “outed”, vulnerable to discrimination, and with our personal safety in danger. This new law helps people like me reconcile our birth certificates with our other important identification documents, like my state-issued ID card.

Over the past two years, I have testified in Springfield in favor of this bill, alongside Illinoisans from across the state who courageously shared their reasons for wanting this new law. I met a transgender woman with hemophilia for whom surgery is simply impossible; I learned from the mother of a transgender student concerned about her son’s process for taking pre-college exams, applying to universities, and securing health care; and I was moved by the mother of a seven-year old transgender girl explaining how a consistent birth certificate would help protect her daughter.

We’ve come a long way since 1955 and I’m very happy our elected officials recognized this problem and did something about it. This small change—with Illinois now becoming the 14th state, along with the District of Columbia and the federal government—dramatically improves my life and the lives of many transgender Illinoisans by ensuring that our documents are consistent. Now I’m proud to say my home state provides transgender citizens with the safety and peace of mind to live their own lives, on their own journey.