BLACKSBURG, Va. – Fallout continues over the Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, better known as DACA.
It protected thousands of children brought into the country illegally, including many in southwest Virginia.
Arturo Roman is a sophomore at Virginia Tech. His parents moved his family from Mexico to the United States 17 years ago seeking a better life.
"They’ve been saving up since I was like 2 years old and I actually worked construction beginning at the age of 12," Roman said.
It took a while for him to realize how coming to the U.S. illegally would impact him.
"I grew up with a lot of people who kind of told me if you try hard enough, you can do whatever you want. But once I got to senior year, I realized no matter how qualified I was, or like my GPA, it wouldn't matter how good it was, I just couldn't do it just 'cause I wasn't a citizen," Roman said.
When DACA came along, it gave Roman hope.
"With DACA I could see that I had some opportunities. I could drive legally with a license, I could work something that's not going to like break my back," Roman said.
Roman is one of more than 800,000 people in the U.S.,12,000 in Virginia and 30 at Virginia Tech, now in jeopardy because of President Trump's decision to end DACA.
"How am I going to work after my work permit expires?" Roman said.
As some advocates push lawmakers to come up with a solution, Roman says he hopes people in the community learn something about those covered by DACA.
"We’re just like everyone else. We're not some bogeyman on the TV here to just steal your jobs. I'm just me," Roman said.
Despite the fear and uncertainty, Roman says he hopes he's made his parents proud and can continue to do so in the future.
"I’m really grateful that they've sacrificed so much for me to have this opportunity. That's honestly what keeps me going…. their sacrifice," Roman said.