María Retana arrived in Wichita, Kansas, in 2001 as a minor. Like many immigrants, her family settled in the city in search of a better future. She is the youngest and the only girl among five siblings.
Retana benefited from the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an executive order established by President Barack Obama in 2012. This measure allowed her to improve her quality of life, as she shared with Planeta Venus:
“DACA changed my life tremendously. It allowed me to get a better job, buy my house and my car. It’s truly an amazing opportunity for those who have it. My mom filled out the forms for my brother and me, and it changed our lives.”
On Jan. 20, Donald Trump took office as the 47th president of the United States for a second term after winning the November 2024 election. During his first week in office, he signed several executive orders that caused fear among immigrant communities, including announcements of mass immigration raids across different parts of the country. The uncertainty spread quickly, fueled by false and misleading information circulating on social media groups.
María Retana did not hesitate to carry out this initiative together with her friend Carolina.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, Retana received a call from her childhood best friend, Carolina. Concerned about the lack of reliable information and the growing spread of false messages, Carolina came up with the idea of printing cards with essential information about immigrants’ rights. The so-called “red cards” contain key details to help immigrants exercise their rights when encountering immigration officials.
Both women decided to take action and, using money from their own pockets, printed the first 4,000 cards. They went out to Wichita’s north side, handing them to people on the streets and outside businesses. “We heard rumors that there would be raids in that area, and we wanted to make sure people knew their rights and could protect themselves,” said Carolina, who preferred not to share her full name, emphasizing that this was a community effort.
To expand the initiative’s reach, Retana posted on social media that they had these cards available and even shared the receipt of the printing costs. Her transparency inspired community members to donate, raising a total of $1,100. With this support, they printed another 20,000 cards on Friday, and about 20 more volunteers joined them in distributing them, covering more areas of Wichita and even rural communities. By Saturday, nearly 35,000 cards had been printed.
Retana recalled that many people were fearful when receiving the cards. One young man, in particular, reminded her of the years she had spent feeling afraid while having to be her parents’ voice.
“Unfortunately, this new generation of young people will have to face that same fear, but they must be prepared,” she said.
The cards were printed from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) website. Retana and Carolina hope this initiative will provide the immigrant community with the tools they need to protect themselves and stand strong. Retana also calls on young U.S.-born Latinos to take action:
“It’s never too late to act, never too late to stand up for your people. If young Latino citizens don’t take action, don’t speak up, don’t vote—I don’t think anyone else will. The time is now.”
Red cards can be found at the following locations in Wichita:
Bills Charcoal Grill Arkansas North
El Fogón Arkansas North
Churros El Carnaval 21st North
Iglesia Perpetuo Socorro Market North
Las Adelitas Coffee Co 2nd Downtown
Juarez Bakery Waco North
Molinos Waco North
Olivas Articulos Personalizados y Paquetería Waco North
María Bonita Waco North
Tapatia Seneca South
ICT Headgear 21st North
Tacos La Jarochita 21st North
Gorditas Corrales Durango 21st North
Tienda del Río Seneca South
Pollo Express Meridian South
Gabys Peruvian Seneca South
Taqueria Alteña Senca South
Tienda del Ahorro 31st South
El Capitán Hillside East
Lina’s Restaurant Central East
Gorditas Express Harry South
La Tlaxcalteña Harry South
Gorditas Torres Harry South
Hermanos Tires Harry South
El Fogon 1 Harry South
La Chona Harry South
Gomez Tires Seneca West
TacoFajita Seneca West
Los Pinos
West
El Tucanazo Seneca West
El Guero Douglas & 2nd West
Ricardos
West
Tacos TJ Central West
Tacos Y más Kellogg & Oliver South
La Guelaguetza Hillside South
Tienda Salvadoreña Hillside South
Family First Insurance 21st & Amidon North
Fabiola’s hair salon West West
Paquetería Los Amigos Arkansas North
Paleteria La Fuente Broadway North
WSU 21st East
Evergreen Library Arkansas North
Rodriguez Fashions Waco North
ELatino Hot Dogs Broadway North
Jaliscos Taqueria 21st North
Pupuseria El Torogoz Seneca South
Lalos Express Seneca South
El Manzano Seneca&Harry South
Delicias de El Salvador Seneca&Harry South
Tacos Mexican Seneca&Harry South
Mi México Lindo Market Arkansas North
Patricia Torres Taxes 13 & Amidon North
Laguna Sounds Meridia South
Tienda Martinez 23 & Arkansas North
Capital Barbershop Central & Maize West
