LATINOS TAKE TO THE STREETS

WASHINGTON - Immigrant youth and communities of faith around the country are holding a variety of events today to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act. Communities across the country held vigils to highlight the moral urgency to pass the DREAM Act. In Washington D.C., and in district offices in various states, DREAM Act students delivered over-sized 6ft checks for $2.3 billion to their members of Congress, highlighting the economic benefits of the DREAM Act to America. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the DREAM Act would generate $2.3 billion of new revenues for the nation’s coffers, including $1.4 billion to reduce the deficit.

Carlos Saavedra, the National Coordinator of United We DREAM, a national network of immigrant youth leading the effort to pass the DREAM Act stated, “We DREAMers want only to contribute and serve America, the country we love, and the only country we really know.” Saavedra continued, “The American people deserve a Christmas bonus, and Congress can deliver it if our elected officials would do what’s right, and do what’s smart, and pass the DREAM Act. We youth will be talking to every Senate and House office.”

Saavedra emphasized, “In this last push, we must use every lever to convince our Representatives and Senators to vote their conscience, not partisan politics. We fully expect the White House and all of our supporters on Capitol Hill to make DREAM a reality.”

Rich Stolz, Campaign Manager of the Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign stated, “In this critical moment for the DREAM Act, the surge of calls, events and actions across the nation and here in Washington DC is staggering.  For the Latino, Asian American and immigrant communities, the message is clear: ‘we will fight for our children, and we will remember those who reject them.’”

Below is a compilation of the events happening all over the country to spur Congress to a yes vote on the DREAM Act:

AR:       Telephonic press conference with college presidents, educators

AR:       Little Rock, Vigil at Sen. Pryor’s office

AZ:       Phoenix, vigil 6:30 -8PM at State Capitol

AZ:      Glendale, Fast event with Dolores Huerta at Sen McCain’s office

CA:       Los Angeles, candle-light procession & vigil

CA:       Bay Area, Candle light vigil, Food drive

CA:       San Diego, Vigil at Mesa College

CA:       Los Angeles, Check Delivery to Congressional Offices

DE:       Check Delivery to Rep. Castle

FL:        Check Delivery to Congressional offices in Miami and Orlando

IA:        Marshalltown, vigil

IL:        Chicago, Check Delivery to Congressional offices

IL:        Chicago, Federal Plaza vigil

KS:       Wichita, Vigil, 4PM

MA:     Boston, Check delivery to Sen. Brown

ME:      Portland, Check delivery to Congressional office

MI:       Detroit, 4:00 pm, Clark Park, across from Western Int'l High School, 1500 Scotten

MO:     Kasnsas City, Check delivery to Sen. McCaskill

NC:      Charlotte, 5-6:30PM Vigil outside Sen. Hagan’s Office

NC:      Greensboro, 4:30PM Vigil at Sen. Miller’s Office

NC:      Chapel Hill, Funeral for Broken DREAMs

NY:       New York City, Check Delivery, Vigil 

NY:       Corona, Prayer vigil

OK:      Check delivery to Congressional office

TN:       Nashville, Check Delivery to Rep. Cooper,

TX:       Houston, Check delivery to Sen. Hutchison

TX:       Austin, Check delivery to Sen. Hutchison

TX:       San Antonio, vigil, Alejandro Siller-Gonzalez

UT:       Salt Lake City, Check delivery to Senate office

VA:       Harrisonburg, Check delivery to Congressional office

WA:     Kennewick, Mount Vernon, Seattle, Vancouver, Yakima: Prayer vigils

WI:       Milwaukee, Check delivery to Rep. Ryan

The purpose of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, also called the DREAM Act, is to help those individuals who meet certain requirements, have an opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship which they otherwise would not have without this legislation. Supporters of the DREAM Act believe it is vital not only to the people who would benefit from it, but also the United States as a whole. It would give an opportunity to undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S. since they were young, a chance to contribute back to the country that has given so much to them and a chance to utilize their hard earned education and talents.