On a Sunday in August, Daysi González addressed approximately seventy attendees in a conference room in New York’s financial district. The audience, composed of first- and second-generation Americans preparing for political roles, listened as González, a political consultant from Washington, D.C., discussed the importance of mail in political campaigns. "People have to look at it," González stated, referring to campaign mailers.
González, thirty-one, specializes in using mail to support Democratic candidates. She presented examples of mailers her firm, Solidarity Strategies, had created, including materials for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ruben Gallego. She also shared insights on campaign regulations, noting that while political-action committees cannot coordinate with campaigns, campaigns can provide information about their advertising needs on their websites. After her presentation, an attendee expressed concern about González's immigration status, which is under threat due to the expiration of her Temporary Protected Status (TPS) on September 9th. González responded, "It’ll work out how it needs to."
González is among an estimated two hundred thousand Salvadorans facing similar circumstances, as the Trump Administration's policies have intensified challenges for immigrants. She has lived in the U.S. for nearly her entire life and described her impending deadline as a significant turning point, stating, "That’s when I sell my house, I sell my car, I buy a ticket, I pack everything I own."
As a partner at Solidarity Strategies, González works on key Democratic campaigns, including that of James Talarico for Senate. Her firm has received over $180,000 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this year. González has developed relationships with influential figures, including former congressman Tony Cárdenas.
González, who immigrated to the U.S. at age five, has navigated her status through TPS, which allows her to work but does not lead to permanent residency. She attended Brigham Young University-Idaho, where she faced challenges related to her immigration status. After joining Solidarity Strategies in 2019, she quickly advanced to an equity partner role, contributing to significant campaigns, including Bernie Sanders's 2020 Presidential campaign.
As the 2024 election approaches, González has become increasingly concerned about her status, especially with the potential for a second Trump presidency. She has relied on Rocha, her firm’s founder, to advocate for her TPS extension, but has faced setbacks in navigating the immigration system. Despite Rocha's connections, he expressed frustration at the limitations of his influence, stating, "No matter how many important people you know, none of that matters."
González's situation highlights broader issues within the Democratic Party regarding immigration policy. Advocates have criticized the lack of urgency in addressing the status of long-term residents. Rafael Collazo of UnidosUS Action Fund emphasized the need for accountability among lawmakers, particularly those who advocate for progressive immigration reforms.
The challenges González faces reflect ongoing debates about immigration policy and the political landscape in the U.S.