A 5-year-old girl breached security for the opportunity to personally deliver Pope Francis an important message about immigration. And she succeeded.

Sofía Cruz, born to Mexican immigrant parents, traveled with her church, Hermandad Mexicana, from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. Live video of Pope Francis traveling through the capital spotted Cruz with a T-shirt and the letter. While security nearly attempted to escort Cruz from the pontiff's route, he, instead, called her forward. Cruz successfully managed to give Pope Francis a letter and a shirt that read "Papa Rescate DAPA," ("Pope Rescue DAPA").

DAPA refers to President Barack Obama's November 2014 executive action titled "Deferred Action for Parental Accountability." The program, currently not implemented due to ongoing lawsuits, would provide eligible undocumented immigrants parents of U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents with three-year temporary, but renewable, stay in the U.S. and obtain a working permit.

DAPA is only available for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. since Jan. 1, 2010, had a child born on or before Nov. 20, 2014, pass a criminal background check and other criteria set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Speaking to Univision, Cruz spoke about what her letter said, originally in Spanish:

"Dear Pope Francisco,

I want to tell you that my heart is really sad because I am scared for the day that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) deports my parents. I have the right to live with parents. I have the right to be happy. My dad works really hard in a factory galvanizing metal. All immigrants just like my father feed this country, therefore they deserve to live with dignity. They deserve to be respected. They deserve an immigration reform because that's in America interest. And because they have earned it working really hard harvesting and reaping orange, onion, watermelon, cantaloupe, spinach, lettuce and many other vegetables. Don't forget about us, the children, and those who suffer because they don't have their parents close to them due to the war, violence or hunger."

On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., welcomed members of the Hermandad Mexicana, including Cruz, to his Washington, D.C. office. In a statement ahead of the meeting, Cárdenas said Cruz has become his hero and a role model.

"Her actions, in the name of her father and millions of people who live in our nations' shadows but who contribute so much to our society, were incredibly brave and powerful," Cárdenas said.

"After hearing the Pope's message in his first Mass in the United States, we all heard his call to action that we must be the change we seek. Sophie understood that message before Pope Francis even spoke those words. She is a wonderful child who looks to do good in her world."

Cruz's visit comes after Pope Francis became the first pontiff to address a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday morning. He engaged in a dialogue about he ongoing violence in the world, climate change, poverty, the death penalty, the immigrant and refugee crises, and recognized the U.S. as the "land of dreams."

"Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War," the pope said.

"This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. In this continent, too, thousands of persons travel north in search for a better life for themselves and their loved ones, in search of greater opportunities. Is this not what we want for our children?"

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.