“Seeing my parents struggle with low wages motivated me to pursue a different path. A path where I could give back to my community and build a better future for myself, my family, and this country.”
Fernando Ayala, Bakersfield, CA
Fernando Ayala is a 22-Year-Old Dreamer who was brought to the United States when he was just 2 years old. Coming from a farm working family, his parents worked in the fields their whole lives, picking oranges, mandarins, cherries, and much more. Fernando started helping them at a young age to help support the family.
While in the fields, Fernando learned the value of hard work, sacrifice, and the importance of education.
“Seeing my parents struggle with low wages motivated me to pursue a different path,” Fernando said. “A path where I could give back to my community and build a better future for myself, my family, and this country.”
His experience with DACA has been life changing. Since receiving it, Fernando has felt a sense of protection and stability. DACA gave him a Social Security number, which allowed him to work legally, build credit, and even buy a house.
Thanks to DACA, He was able to go to college and graduated from California State University, Bakersfield. He has worked as a part-time music teacher and is currently teaching at an elementary school.
DACA also gave him the chance to apply for Advance Parole and visit his grandmother in Mexico during her most difficult moments. That trip not only gave him peace of mind but also provided him with a legal entry, which is an important step for my future immigration process.
Fernando credits the UFW Foundation in playing a major role in his journey.
“The UFW Foundation helped me apply for DACA and made the process much easier,” he said. “On top of that, they covered the application fees with their funds, something I will always be grateful for. Since then, they’ve also helped me renew my DACA and were the foundation that supported me when I applied for Advance Parole. Without UFWF’s support, I wouldn’t have had many of the opportunities I’ve been blessed with.”
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Vicky’s story reflects the reality of many female farm workers, who work long hours in physically demanding jobs while balancing family and other responsibilities
Today, she continues to return to the fields, bringing organizations with her to provide critical resources and information directly to farm workers.
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