For 27 years, Sherry lived in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Now, a green card holder, she’s helping others navigate the same struggles through her work at Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM), a grassroots organization supporting thousands of Indo-Caribbean immigrants in Queens. Through organizing, advocacy and direct support, she has become a lifeline for many facing the same fears and uncertainties she once endured.
Sherry, who asked to use only her first name, came to the U.S. from Guyana in 1996 at the age of 8 to reunite with her mother, who lived in the U.S. As she grew up undocumented, she faced uncertainty and barriers to education and employment. She eventually became a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which granted her temporary protection from deportation and the ability to work legally.
But her journey into activism began in 2017 when her brother was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the first Trump administration. He was accused of a crime and was on his way to court when ICE agents apprehended him. The traumatic experience propelled her into action, determined to ensure no other family faced the fear and uncertainty she once did.
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“When my brother was picked up and detained, it was all over the media,” Sherry recalled. “Neighbors tried to help, but lawyers said they could do nothing. That’s when DRUM stepped in.”
DRUM’s organizers advocated for her brother’s release by leading a grassroots campaign that mobilized the community and provided legal support. He was released from ICE custody after five months.
A lifeline for immigrants
DRUM is a membership-led organization mobilizing Indo-Caribbean and South Asian immigrants in New York to fight for political and social change. The Queens-based organization, founded in 2000, focuses on immigrant rights, education reform, civil rights and workers’ justice.
Sherry, 37, joined as a member, quickly rising to become a leader and eventually an organizer. Today, she helps undocumented immigrants access resources, understand their rights and build leadership skills to advocate for themselves and their communities.
“It’s about working-class power and how we take care of one another,” Sherry said. “We organize our community to create safety nets and better our lives as Black and Brown folks in this country.”
Jennifer, a DRUM member and green card holder from Trinidad and Tobago, found solace in the organization after facing homelessness and discrimination. Jennifer asked to only use her first name.
She first encountered DRUM in 2024 while staying at a shelter, where she met a member working there. After sharing her story, he connected her with Sherry, who invited her to a meeting.
Jennifer said she immediately felt welcomed by DRUM’s supportive atmosphere, where members offered her meals, checked in on her needs, and provided emotional support. At her first meeting, members greeted her warmly, asking about her situation and if she needed help with clothing or other essentials. Although she never sought financial assistance, DRUM became a vital support system, giving her a sense of community and a network of people she could rely on during difficult times.
“At DRUM, I found a family away from my own family,” she said. “They stick together, look out for each other, and call you to ask how you’re doing.”
Now, as a chapter member for eight months, she’s been given back by participating in advocacy actions, community outreach and distributing informational materials, such as the ‘Know Your Rights’ brochure, to help immigrants in her family and community. Through DRUM, she has found both personal support and a platform to empower others.
After being evicted from her apartment, Jennifer turned to DRUM for help. The organization provided her with resources, emotional support and a sense of belonging that helped her rebuild her life.
“DRUM helped me get out of that situation. Now, I want to give back to the people who are in a similar situation like me,” she said
Fighting exploitation and fear
Sherry’s work extends beyond immigration issues to address the systemic exploitation faced by undocumented workers. Many in her community work in low-wage jobs, often in unsafe conditions and face wage theft or retaliation for speaking out.
Undocumented workers in New York City are especially vulnerable to wage theft and exploitation, particularly in construction, restaurants and domestic work. Employers often use their immigration status to withhold fair pay, while fear of retaliation or deportation prevents many from reporting violations, leaving them without protection or recourse.
“Workers are being abused by employers, not getting paid and working in fear,” Sherry said. “We organize to demand fair wages, safe working conditions and dignity for all workers, regardless of their immigration status.”
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Kareem, an undocumented construction worker and DRUM member, has faced exploitation and unsafe working conditions but said he finds strength in the solidarity of the DRUM community.
“Being in DRUM, I feel more secure here than when I’m out of the organization. It’s like a family,” he said. Kareem asked to only share his first name.
Through Know Your Rights training and preparedness packets, DRUM equips members like Kareem with the tools to protect themselves during ICE encounters, workplace raids, or other emergencies. These resources are crucial in helping undocumented immigrants navigate the challenges of living in fear of deportation.
Building leadership and solidarity
A core part of Sherry’s work is nurturing leadership within the community. She believes empowering individuals to advocate for themselves is key to creating lasting change. Through DRUM, she helps members develop the skills and confidence to lead campaigns, organize events and speak out on issues affecting their lives.
Andrew, an 18-year-old youth organizer at DRUM, is among the many members inspired by leadership.
“Sherry has been a mentor to me. She’s shown me how to use my voice and stand up for my community,” he said.
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Andrew joined DRUM in 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, after seeing the lasting impact of Trump-era immigration policies on his community.
Immigrating to the U.S. from Guyana as a child, he said that he saw firsthand how fear and uncertainty shaped the lives of those around him.
Through DRUM, he found critical resources, including Know Your Rights trainings and preparedness packets, as well as a sense of belonging. Now in college, he helps other immigrant students understand their rights and navigate challenges, ensuring they don’t feel as isolated as he once did.
“I’ve seen students scared to come to school because they thought ICE might show up,” Andrew, who shared only his first name, said. “DRUM’s Know Your Rights training has helped so many of us feel safer and more informed.”
A vision for the future
Sherry envisions a future where undocumented immigrants can live without fear and with dignity. She advocates for policies that provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers, protect asylum seekers and end the criminalization of immigrants.
“We need to fight back all together,” she said. “United we stand, divided we fall. Politicians come and go, but our communities remain. We have to protect one another.”
Through DRUM, she has helped many families navigate the challenges of being undocumented, providing them with the tools and support they need to thrive.
“DRUM is family. It’s leadership, unity and solidarity,” she said. “Without this organization, I don’t know where we’d be.”
