Faith leaders hold prayer service for Dreamers

In about a week, President-elect Donald Trump will become President Trump.

Trump campaigned on taking a tough stance on immigration and building a wall between the United States and Mexico.

The political rhetoric has many of the estimated 700,000 so-called Dreamers in the U.S. worried about their future.

Congressman Beto O’Rourke is holding a public meeting this Sunday at El Paso’s San Jacinto Plaza. It is aimed at showing support for members of the Borderland community who are fearing for their future.

Faith leaders held an event tonight at St. Patrick Cathedral to celebrate El Paso’s identity as a migrant Borderland community.

People who are afraid they could soon be deported were also in the crowd.

Dreamer Roberto Valadez Pena spoke to the audience.

“I was brought to the United States when I was one and a half. I am now 23. I went to school here, I am going to go to UTEP. I am here trying to make the best out of my life,” Pena said.

Pena is an undocumented immigrant temporarily shielded from deportation under a 2012 executive order issued by President Obama.

An order Congressman O’Rourke believes may be in jeopardy.

“Now because of the public commitments the president-elect has made to end the program that defers their deportations, they face a real risk of being sent back to their countries of origins where they may not know the language or have any family left or know anyone at all,” O’Rourke said.

The event at St. Patrick Cathedral was held by the Hope Border Institute. Dylann Corbett is the director.

“As a community, an El Paso border community, we want to stand in solidarity with them and say we affirm you. You are part of our community. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you and we are not going to accept the demonization of our border communities,” Corbett said.

Pena was one of a few Dreamers who shared their stories with those at the prayer service. It’s this kind of personalization, O’Rourke hopes will catch the attention of the incoming presidential administration.

“I think when people get to hear their stories, see them in person, I think that is going to help make a difference. Not just in El Paso — I think that story is going to carry nationally and I think it is going to give El Paso the prominence on this issue we really deserve,” O’Rourke said.

Other Dreamers like Pena will be at O’Rourke’s public event sharing their stories.

That community meeting is being held Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at El Paso’s San Jacinto Plaza.

“It’s great, it’s great to see all the support. The people telling you they are behind you and they care. It’s great, I really appreciate it,” Pena said.