March Meeting Recap

At our March general meeting, we were honored to host Reyna Montoya and José Patiño from Aliento, an Arizona-based organization that works with undocumented, DACA, and mixed-status families to transform trauma into hope and action.

Reyna, Aliento’s founder and CEO, shared her powerful personal story as a DACA recipient and ASU graduate who experienced the trauma of family separation for nine months when her father was deported. Her message was one of hope, courage, and determination, emphasizing:

“If you don’t like something, don’t complain about it—do something about it.”

The Need for Real Reform

Despite decades of advocacy, meaningful immigration reform hasn’t passed since 1986. Reyna and José highlighted how policies are often created without input from those most affected, leading to ineffective and harmful outcomes. Aliento works to change that by ensuring immigrant voices are central to policymaking.

Aliento’s Impact

• Supports students and families navigating complex immigration systems
• Offers arts and healing programs, leadership development, and ally training
• Played a key role in passing in-state tuition for undocumented students in Arizona
• Responds with action, like mobilizing 1,000+ students at ASU in response to anti-immigrant rhetoric

The Current Climate

With threats of increased enforcement, especially under Trump-era policies and rhetoric, immigrant communities continue to live in fear and uncertainty. DACA recipients and DREAMers remain vulnerable, and rising concerns about potential violence are making advocacy more urgent than ever.

How you can support Aliento:

✅ Stay informed about immigration policy changes

✅ Follow @AlientoAZ on social media

✅ Connect people to resources and remind them of their rights

✅ Advocate at the Arizona Legislature

✅ Attend rallies and show up as an ally

Aliento reminds us that change is possible when we turn pain into purpose. Let’s stand with immigrant families and continue to build a more just Arizona—together.