Virtual Immigrant Liberty Awards - Honoring Marissa Molina
Marissa Molina is the Colorado State Immigration Director with FWD.us, a bipartisan political organization that believes America’s families, communities, and economy thrive when more individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Ms. Molina's advocacy work with FWD.us was critical to galvanize statewide efforts to expand access to drivers’ licenses for undocumented immigrants in Colorado. A native of Mexico, Ms. Molina grew up in the Western Slope of Colorado in Glenwood Springs. She attended Fort Lewis College, where she graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Political Science and Economics. As a 2014 Teach for America Corps Member, she spent two years teaching Spanish for Native Speakers at DSST: GVR High School. In July of 2015, she was one of nine educators with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to be honored by the White House as a Champion of Change. Ms. Molina's leadership continues to be a catalyst to protect the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and advance policies that increase access to opportunities for the immigrant community in Colorado. Her appointment in 2019 as the first DACA recipient to the Board of Trustees at Metropolitan State University of Denver is breaking grounds and a true reflection of immigrant contributions in Colorado.
Celebrating Client Success
Brenda, a 20-year-old Dreamer from Peru (pictured left exploring her home state of Colorado), shares this about her case:
"Growing up in the United States I have been part of two cultures my entire life. When I got DACA it was a huge change in my life. It gave me hope to have an actual future in the country I grew up in. I am currently in school to be an Art Teacher.
I started the process of obtaining DACA when I was just a teenager, it can feel really overwhelming at first, especially for families not familiar with how the system works. RMIAN played a big part in helping my family and I through this process. Everyone here has been wonderful and incredibly giving. My attorney in particular has helped me through all the difficulties along the way. We faced bumps on the road but she was there to help us through the entire thing. I am really grateful."
A donation of $500 helps RMIAN to provide free legal services to other Dreamers like Brenda as they renew their DACA status and pursue their dreams. Please make your contribution today to help RMIAN reach its goal of raising $50,000 through the Immigrant Liberty Awards Event.
