1800 letters signed by activists in South Texas in support of the DREAM act. They are being delivered today to the Senate offices!
By Stephanie Rodriguez, Policy Intern
Latinos are rallying support of the DREAM Act which would hopefully grant a pathway to citizenship for thousands of Latino youth who have been here for most of their lives.
I was in Washington D.C this summer when 12 DREAM activists were arrested in a peaceful protest in front of the office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The arrests sent a message to politicians that these students have reached the end of the line and that they want action now. With increasing national support from various organizations you would think that the DREAM Act would have more support from Congress. But nothing is ever as easy as it looks, and the DREAM Act has faced many barriers to get passed.
We’ll know in just a few hours if DREAM will move forward, and activists have been pushing hard these last few days in preparation for today’s vote.
Even Senator Harry Reid has said he’s not sure that he has the 60 votes that it needs. It is a hard issue to navigate through because our communities want some type of reform, and we have been advocating for many years a change in our immigration system. In realizing our own strength, that our Latino vote has become a powerful tool, we should use it to our advantage. So hopefully the DREAM Act is passed, and we continue with our activism in also passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform. All the way from California, Texas, Chicago and New York, young activist have been rallying demanding for change, sending thousands of letters, calling politicians, and organizing marches to make sure their voices are heard. Are you doing the same?
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