This article was originally written by Isabella Castillo on October 22, 2026 and translated to English by Suguey Carmona.
The game of lotería has become a way for the Latino community to come together. At the Buenas Lotería club, it also serves to raise funds for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewals, as well as to provide support in the wake of migration-related tragedies and for people in need.
The DACA immigration program was approved in 2012 and provides temporary protection to undocumented young people who arrived in the United States as children.
The founder of Buenas Lotería Club, Divina Ceniceros-Dominguez, was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and immigrated to Laredo, Texas, four years later. Ceniceros-Dominguez graduated from high school ranked second in her class and went on to study journalism at UT on full scholarship. Today, she works in digital marketing.
Unfortunately, many federal delays related to DACA processes result in some immigrants being fired from their jobs due to a lack of up-to-date work permits.
DACA renewal for Ceniceros-Dominguez typically takes two to three weeks; however, the last time she applied, in the spring of this year, it took approximately five months. Without her work permit, she was let go from her job and remained unemployed for two months.
“At first, it was just going to be a fundraiser for myself, for my DACA process, but then I posted about it on Tiktok, and ever since I started on April 29, the events have sold out after another,” said Ceniceros-Dominguez.
Buenas Lotería Club events consist of two-hour games, priced between $10 and $15 for two to three cards, featuring between fifteen to twenty rounds. Some of these events include special guests, such as attorney Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch from Lincoln-Goldfinch Law, an immigration law firm.
“I think a comment I often hear is, ‘Wow, this is a game for older people, and you’re bringing it here.’ But younger people nowadays go to restaurants, sit for two hours, have drinks, eat, and consume things, and I think that’s fun, too.”
Each month, these lottery games raise over $1,000, which is then distributed to individuals who apply, throughout the “Buenas Lotería Club”, for assistance with DACA renewal forms or other financial aid. In other instances, Ceniceros-Dominguez donates these funds to other immigration-related causes, such as to the family of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, Texas.
“Being an immigrant brings a lot of sadness, distress, and doubt,” said Censiceros-Dominguez. “But this organization brings me a great deal of healing, because it makes me realize, first, that I am not alone, and it is very easy to feel alone when you are an immigrant. And second, that there are people who truly want to offer support.”
Buenas Lotería Club focuses on “joyful resistance,” helping building community and providing recognition for Latinx culture.
“It’s really wonderful to see people bringing others along to share in that culture,” said Ángel Guatemala, an event assistant for Buenas Lotería Club. “Beyond viewing immigrants merely as a labor force or considering their impact in various other ways, there is a great deal of joy and fun, these are the kinds of things that can be done. So, it is definitely a very important way to demonstrate resilience: simply by showing up, being present, and existing.”
