Hello, friends, family, and strangers

My name is Karla Janette Monroe, and I’ve been living in the U.S. for over 20 years after immigrating from Mexico as a child. I’m reaching out for support during a critical time. With the recent election, Liz (my wife) and I are feeling a lot of urgency to renew my DACA sooner than we originally planned and start my residency application before the next inauguration. Many of us DACA recipients are feeling particularly anxious, as there are concerns about the new president, Donald Trump, and his stance on immigration and DACA. This has caused a lot of uncertainty and fear for the future, making it even more important for me to complete this process before the administration changes.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is a U.S. immigration policy that was started in the Obama administration to protect individuals known as ‘Dreamers’—those who were brought to the U.S. as children—from deportation. It allows us to work legally in the U.S. for a renewable two-year period. As of now, DACA does not provide a path to citizenship or a green card but offers temporary protection and work authorization.

The process of obtaining residency through Adjustment of Status is unknown and could take a few years. During this time, I’ll need to keep renewing my DACA to maintain legal working status and avoid the risk of deportation. This is why I’m so urgent about starting the process now, before any potential changes in policy.

To clarify, I am currently applying for Adjustment of Status, which is the first step toward obtaining lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. Later in the process, if all goes well, I will need to apply for Advance Parole to obtain permission for future travel outside the U.S., which is crucial for my residency journey. Our attorney has advised that this will be an important step as I work toward getting my green card. At this time, my main focus is on filing the necessary paperwork to start the process, so the costs for future steps, like Advance Parole and other steps are not part of what I’m seeking help with right now. While I’m still uncertain about the future expenses, my priority is handling the immediate steps needed to move forward.

Here’s a breakdown of what I need to cover:

• DACA Renewal: $85

• Employment Authorization Document (EAD): $520

• Part 1 Attorney Office Services: $200

• Residency Application (Adjustment of Status): $675

• Part 2 Attorney Fees: $400

Total: $1,880

I’ve created a GoFundMe to help with these expenses. Any contribution would mean so much and help me reach this goal before the holiday season this month. If you’re not able to donate, sharing this post is just as valuable.

Thank you all for your kindness, support, and encouragement.