LOS ANGELES — Ten years ago, Alessandro Negrete missed out on the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program — better known as DACA — a policy that gives certain immigrant youth who were brought to the United States as children a work permit and protection from deportation. In 2008, Negrete had been arrested for being drunk in public and fighting with a police officer. While he eventually got his record expunged 10 years later, it kept him from qualifying for immigration relief.
His lack of DACA changed the trajectory of his life — pushing him toward success. Now, the 39-year-old, who came from Mexico as a baby with his mother, is an entrepreneur. He earns a six-figure salary as a communications, political and philanthropic strategy consultant. He makes his own schedule. He's looking to buy his first home in Los Angeles.
"As people of color, growing up in poverty pushes us. I think the added layer of being status ambiguous pushed me even harder," Negrete said.
