Home State: Georgia
When the Islas family left Guerrero, Mexico, for the United States, they were seeking what so many immigrant parents hope for: safety, opportunity, and a brighter future for their children. As violence increased in their hometown, their parents made the difficult decision to leave everything behind and start over. They settled in Gainesville, Georgia, where they worked tirelessly to build a new life for their family and raise their seven children.
Today, the three oldest sisters—Indira, Ingrid, and Imeyrani—embody the dreams and sacrifices of their parents. Despite facing the challenges that come with growing up in mixed-status immigrant families and navigating higher education with uncertain immigration statuses, all three became TheDream.US Scholars, excelled in college, and have gone on to make meaningful contributions in healthcare, public policy, and advocacy.
As the oldest sibling, Indira helped pave the way. Coming to the United States at age six, she became a DACA recipient at sixteen, opening doors that allowed her to pursue higher education. With support from TheDream.US, Indira attended Delaware State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and worked as a research assistant in a cancer research laboratory. While in college, she also co-founded Dreamers for a Bipartisan Solution, an organization dedicated to advancing conversations with members of Congress about permanent legislative solutions for DACA recipients and Dreamers.
Recognizing the barriers many immigrant students face, Indira became deeply committed to mentorship, helping Latino students navigate the college admissions process through her work with TeenSHARP. She later earned a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, where her research focused on Latino representation in the healthcare workforce. Her work has included health policy research, advocacy, and engagement with policymakers on issues affecting children, families, and Latino communities.
Following closely behind her older sister, Ingrid pursued a different path but one rooted in the same commitment to service. As the second oldest of seven siblings, Ingrid understood from an early age the importance of responsibility, perseverance, and caring for others. Inspired by her family’s sacrifices and motivated by a desire to give back, she pursued a career in nursing.
With support from TheDream.US, Ingrid earned her college degree from Trinity Washington University and entered the healthcare profession. Today, she works as a nurse in a hospital’s oncology department, providing compassionate care to patients and families during some of life’s most challenging moments. Through her work on the frontlines of healthcare, Ingrid serves her community with skill, empathy, and dedication, demonstrating the profound impact Dreamers can have when given the opportunity to pursue their education and careers.
The youngest of the three sisters, Imeyrani, has dedicated her career to public service, immigrant rights, and public policy. Although she applied for DACA, she never received it due to the program’s changing legal landscape. Yet she refused to let uncertainty define her future. Like her sisters, she became a TheDream.US Scholar and excelled academically, using education as a tool to create change.
Today, Imeyrani is a public policy professional, advocate, and graduate student focused on immigration and social policy. She is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, where she is developing the skills and expertise needed to shape policies that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that immigrant families have access to the opportunities and protections they deserve.
Together, the Islas sisters represent the transformative power of education and the extraordinary potential that exists within immigrant communities. One has advanced health policy and public health research. One serves patients as a nurse. One is helping shape the future of public policy. Each has forged her own path, but all three share a common foundation: parents who sacrificed everything for their children, a belief in the power of education, and a determination to create opportunities not only for themselves, but for others.
Their story is a reminder that when Dreamers are given the opportunity to pursue higher education, they do more than achieve their own dreams—they strengthen their communities, uplift future generations, and help build a better future for us all.
