Arlin was four years old when she came to the United States from Mexico. Now 20 years old, she is a fierce self-advocate and activist, and attends Trinity Washington University thanks in part to a scholarship from TheDream.US.
“I would not be myself if I didn’t stand up for what I believe in,” she said in a recent Washington Post article. “Even if it meant my future, I prefer to have spoken out for my community than to not have.”
As the Supreme Court was hearing arguments on DACA Nov. 12, 2019, she was outside on the steps, surrounded by fellow immigrants and activists. She is steeped in activism, having interned with DC-based Faith in Public Life, a national network of around 50,000 faith leaders.
Though Martínez is no longer an intern, she still volunteers for them, managing their social media handles—as she was doing last November.
In a recent op-ed in the online publication the Latino Rebels, she wrote, “Our fight is beyond DACA. The movement continues with or without DACA’s continuation.”
