Special Reports

DREAMer Slammed For Facebook Post About Paying Taxes But Not Receiving Federal Aid

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DREAMer and activist Belen Sisa took to Facebook to share how she had to pay taxes to the state of Arizona but not being eligible to receive financial aid from the state or from the federal government for her higher education. She is a junior at Arizona State University.

Her post, which has gained thousands of likes and shares, talked about how she cannot benefit from unemployment, a reduced healthcare plan or a retirement fund. She described how there are millions like her who "pay into a system they will never receive anything from." She even tagged President Trump's Facebook page and ended her post with the hashtag #HereToStay.

A lot of people, especially those who are anti-immigrant, criticized her. There are those who said that the country does not owe her anything.

Speaking to CNN, Belen Sisa expressed her astonishment at the hate that her post received. She added that some called her illegal and a liar while some commented on her appearance.

Moreover, there are those who even reported her to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and told her that she should be deported. Sisa noted that she is legally working in the U.S. through DACA.

According to AZ Central, the 23-year-old ASU junior arrived in the U.S. from Argentina with her parents when she was six years old. She is protected from deportation by the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

It is estimated that there are about 750,000 DREAMers, who sought protection through the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act. They were able to receive work permits under former President Obama's 2012 executive actions.

The arrest of DREAMer Daniel Ramirez sparked worry especially for undocumented students since it could be anyone who would be threatened with deportation and detained by ICE. However, officials said that Ramirez was a "self-admitted gang member."

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