Aliento Features: Daniel Martinez Romero
Tell us about yourself
Daniel Martinez Romero, graduated from Brophy College Prep is a young immigration activist. Daniel is part of a mixed-immigration-status family. He draws upon his Latino background to give him perspective on education, immigration, and politics. Through his fellowship with Aliento, Daniel strives to make higher education accessible for all students regardless of immigration status. In his free time, he prefers sleeping in, watching anime, working out, or playing horror games.
Why does the work we are doing matter to you?
Everybody has their own life story. But, in that way, we are all alike. Latinos have a commonality with each other that has deep roots. Growing up, I had to face the same hardships my parents did, and their grief motivated me to pursue justice. One way I’ve done that is by sharing these stories with others like me to unite us. The metaphor of a tree subsists in the way that everybody’s roots which are made up of our shared experiences, establish a strong foundation whereby we find ourselves in a collective. It allows us to find a meaning that gives us the strength to empower those around us. Also, I’ve also been blessed with a wonderful faith-based education and support system at Brophy that has taught me not to stand idly by in the face of injustice but rather stand up for what is right. All this is to say that a culmination of things in my life created who I am today— a person who, at the end of the day, doesn’t want human beings to suffer at the expense of others.
What moments from the fellowship are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of Brophy’s phone banking event. The event was the first time I had to organize that many people for a singular cause. In the end, around 35 people showed up and in total, we contributed to the 4,000 calls Aliento made that day! Aliento’s cohort meetings and overall leadership development taught me how to evoke that same call to action in others. Being able to efficiently and consistently communicate with others was essential to the success of the event. I remember Adriana telling us how important it was to follow up after initial contact, and I attribute the day’s success to this simple rule. During the actual event, I loved how motivated everyone was while making their phone calls. I think the culture at Brophy to always work in the service of others helped.
How would you describe this fellowship to someone who is looking to apply?
Keeping in line with the theme of migrants being butterflies, the fellowship is a catalyst or a cocoon that seriously develops the gifts and talents of its students. Aliento fits the frame of what a non-profit organization should look like. The team loves what it does and the people always come first. It’s a space where fellows can find themselves and learn how to critically analyze the political landscape of Arizona and the nation more broadly. With a focus on human rights, education comes first for Aliento and what follows is a call to action to demonstrate how we pursue peace and justice. Throughout my time with Aliento, I’ve been granted valuable opportunities to grow into someone I’d admire and that my friends and family can look up to.
What’s next for you?
Leaving the fellowship is going to be tough since I’m leaving behind a tight-knit community that has had my back for the past two years. Not only that, but I’m moving out of state for college and settling into a new community. However, my decision was solidified after receiving substantial financial aid from Washington University in St. Louis. Having all expenses paid is a major plus, but I chose WashU primarily because its mission aligns with mine. There, I aim to continue applying my teachings from the Aliento fellowship in places I have yet to discover. Although the issue of immigration is not a prevalent one in the Midwest, I can still strive for justice anywhere I find myself. I’ll be pursuing a business degree whereby I can leverage that to help others. I also plan to minor in something else, perhaps politics or a foreign language. Dabbling in politics, education, and a little of the legal system opened my eyes to what “leadership” means.