DACA Activist: Sara Mora I Published November 11

By: Blanca Mora

Sara Mora was born in Costa Rica, she immigrated to the U.S. illegally with her parents when she was 3 years old. She grew up in New Jersey and at the age of 16, she joined the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA program.

DACA offers a two-year renewable legal status to undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children in 2012. Recipients receive a social security number and are eligible to get a driver’s license, or job and start on a path to potential citizenship.

Mora is a student at Kean University, studying International Politics, and preparing herself to enter Immigration Law School. She is a speaker on immigrant rights, an activist, and an advisor for dating companies, Tinder and Hinge.

She received the Upstanding Student Activist award from Kean University; she is also working with the Urban Policy Research Institute at Kean focusing on improving access to resources for low-income communities.

For Mora, this upcoming presidential election is critical for all U.S citizens and residents; “We need people to get up and vote” she said. “It is important to understand the power of local cities, what elected officials do in local cities like the Mayor and Board of education”.

 Mora was invited to join a call on Nov. 13, with different businesses that are looking to develop social entrepreneurship and need support, she is excited to be a part of this project and hopes she can influence them to allow students to be a part of it as well.

As an undocumented immigrant living in the U.S., many aspects of her life are out of her control. She cannot vote, apply for student financial aid, or travel outside the country. She is afraid one day be forced to leave the place she calls home.

Her situation is what inspired her to become a speaker and activist, she uses her voice to fight for those who share similar stories to hers; she wants to make a change in this country and allow multiple communities she speaks for to have more resources and opportunities available for them.

Mora has fiercely stood up for what she believes throughout her journey as an activist, hoping to one day, achieve her goal to become an Immigration Lawyer and help those in need.

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