Sophie Cruz

Sophie Cruz was born in the United States to undocumented immigrants from Oaxaca, Mexico.  Her parents have been allowed to stay in the United States under the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA) program.  At five years old, Sophie went to Washington DC to be part of the crowd welcoming Pope Francis who was visiting on behalf of undocumented immigrants.  In an attempt to help her parents and others like them, she wrote the Pope a letter of hope and wore a t-shirt that said “Papa Rescate DAPA” (translation – “Father rescue DAPA”).  Sophie met Pope Francis that day.  He gave her one of his famous hugs and she gave him her letter asking for help.  Her passion to help undocumented parents continues.  Sophie’s words, “I believe I have the right to live with parents.  I have the right to be happy…All immigrants just like my dad feed this country.  They deserve to live with dignity.  They deserve to live with respect.”