Transy student on Capitol Hill pushing for DACA program extension

A Transylvania University student made headlines last month when a

she posted online got

.

Paola Garcia, a

, says a fellow student

.

School officials confirm that student is no longer enrolled at Transy.

But now Garcia is using her platform from that experience to push for change. She is in Washington, D.C. with more than 100 other DREAMers and the organization

, urging lawmakers to pass legislation continuing the protections from the DACA program.

"I'm living out my dream," Garcia said. "I'm a DREAMer, and this is the dream, and I'm living it right now. I'm so grateful."

On Wednesday Garcia met with Rep. John Yarmuth (D-3rd District) of Louisville, as well as Rep. Andy Barr (R-6th District), whose district includes Lexington.

Rep. Barr told WKYT's Garrett Wymer by phone on Wednesday afternoon that he supports legislation that would be a permanent fix for DREAMers while securing the border and enforcing immigration laws.

"We are a nation of immigrants, and we are also a nation of laws. And we should fix all broken parts of our immigration system," Rep. Barr said.

"We have a situation in this country that has done a disservice to people like Paola. So what we want for Paola is for her to have an opportunity to achieve the American dream. And we don't want to have heartbreaking stories like hers any longer in the future."

Rep. Barr said he is co-sponsoring the

, which provides for a path to legal status for DREAMers, who came into the country undocumented through no fault of their own, who serve in the armed forces.

Garcia said she is optimistic that Congress will extend DACA's protections. Her trip to Capitol Hill is almost over, but she says her work as an advocate for fellow dreamers is far from finished.

"Now that I have my leg in the door, I'm not going to stop," she said. "I'm going to keep pushing that door until it flings wide open."

Thursday is the final deadline for DACA recipients to reapply.