On
August, 4, 2014, Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine welcomed
Johana Mejias and the rest of its Class of 2018 to school. Johana is one of seven medical students starting
school at the Stritch School of Medicine there who was granted Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) under the Department of Homeland
Security’s program which started in 2012.
Johana
arrived in the United States at age three and has lived here ever since. Despite not having immigration status, she
remained focused on her studies and has excelled at every level. She studied cellular and molecular biology
and the psychology of neuroscience at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Johana
first applied for DACA through Joseph Law Firm the day after DHS started
accepting applications and was quickly approved.
At the
welcome event for the incoming medical school class, she was asked to speak and
explained, “Today, what was once just a dream starts to become a reality. I
find myself as part of Loyola Stritch, a loving, professional and courageous
institution that believed in my ability to one day become a successful
practicing physician.” Illinois Governor
Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, and other dignitaries were on hand at the
event to welcome the incoming class of medical students.
Johana’s
hard work and achievement are an inspiration and we at Joseph Law Firm are
proud to have gotten the chance to work with her. Johana’s story also shows the potential in
our talented and driven young adults that have been granted DACA. Grants of deferred action under DACA allow
our communities to reap the benefits from the talent, passion, and creativity
of these young people.
Congratulations,
Johana! You make us proud. We can’t wait to follow your career and see all
of the great things you achieve and all of the people you will help.
-To see
the press release from the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of
Medicine, click
here.
-For
more about the DACA program, click
here.
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