David  Vergara has been working once a week at a food pantry ever since he lost his restaurant job to the pandemic.

Because he is an undocumented immigrant, he didn't qualify for federal aid, and so making ends meet has lately been difficult.

But he says his challenges pale in comparison to his worry about the election.

What You Need To Know

  • With less than two weeks till Election Day, immigrant advocacy group La Colmena is mobilizing to remind people to vote  

  • Campaign focuses on the American-born children of undocumented immigrants

  • Social media videos profile families whose parents can't vote, but whose children can

  • Campaign is also aimed at informing immigrants of their voting rights, and how to fill out a ballot

"I wish, I really wish I could vote,” Vergara told NY1.

Vargara cannot vote because of his immigration status. So he's counting on his children to vote for him in a presidential election that could have profound implications for  U.S. policy toward immigration and the undocumented.

The family sat for a quick video, an attempt by advocates from La Colmena to encourage the children of undocumented immigrants here legally to vote by November 3.

The video has since made its way around social media.

"We're telling them everyday, ‘Guys, we here. And if you are here, you have to vote,’” said Vergara.

It's a message that means a lot to Evelyn Bueno. 

At 19, she's the only one in her immediate family with voting rights.

Her parents and her sister Paola are undocumented, but Evelyn was born in the U.S., giving her citizenship. 

"My voice is their voice,” Evelyn Bueno told us. “So when I vote, I am voting for my whole family."

Evelyn and her sister also turn out every week to help out at the food pantry, which is run by La Colmena.

They've used the time to hand out pamphlets about voting to make sure the undocumented immigrants are aware their American-born children can vote, even if they cannot.

And for those children, the sisters have been helping to make sure they exercise their right.

"Her age group is coming to understand that our voice needs to be heard, if we want to see a real difference in our government,” Paola Bueno said.

Advocates have also been visiting immigrant owned-businesses in Port Richmond, conducting outreach to remind as many people as possible about their voting rights.

Vergara said it’s a worthwhile effort: "One more vote will do a difference."

And that's what these immigrants are hoping for.