Youth and families rally in support of DREAM Act at the office of Congressman Luis Gutierrez
Rosi Carrasco
Youth and families rally in support of DREAM Act
at the office of Congressman Luis Gutierrez
Chicago, IL- Dozens of Chicago youth and families rallied outside the office of Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) to show support for passing the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) as a stand-alone bill by the end of June, and as a first step to further immigration reform. Five students in caps and gowns, three of them undocumented, delivered a letter addressed to the Congressman thanking him for the work he has done for immigrant communities, and asking for his leadership in passing the DREAM Act by the end of June, in order to set a positive standard for immigration reform based on education, hard work and fairness.
The letter states that they seek the leadership of the Congressman through a public statement in support of the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill; help urging members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus for commitments on supporting the DREAM Act as a first step to immigration reform; and a public memo for advocates of comprehensive immigration reform regarding his position on DREAM.
Students have scheduled a meeting with the Congressman for Tuesday June 8th at 8:00 AM, and expect a response regarding the asks made in the letter.
"The Congressman's office has been very collaborative by meeting with us and listening to our concerns. Today's rally is about showing how much community support there is for moving on the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill this summer so when we meet with him he knows that we are not alone in making our asks. We not only have our families with us, but an entire community" stated Nicolas Gonzalez, 24, one of the undocumented youth who delivered the letter to Congressman Gutierrez.
Given the legislative calendar there is a small window of opportunity this summer to pass legislation that will benefit immigrant families. Organizers of the rally believe that immigrant communities deserve legislation that includes a path to legalization. The DREAM Act not only has bipartisan support, it is the only bill that has been introduced in the senate regarding immigration, and needs to move legislatively by the end of June.
"For immigrant youth and our families failure is not an option" explained Ireri Unzueta, 23, also an organizer of today's rally. "We ask for the commitment, conviction, and continued leadership of our Congressman to free the dreams of thousands of immigrant youth and make the DREAM Act a reality before the end of June. It is a first and important step to immigration reform in the future."
This work is part of a national campaign led by youth all over the country who are intensifying tactics to gain support and co-sponsors for the DREAM Act in Congress and in the Senate.
"We are declaring our support outside our Congressman's office as youth in New York are on day 3 of a hunger strike to push Senator Schumer (R-NY) to advance the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill by the end of June. Undocumented youth can't wait any longer, and as an ally, I am willing to step up the fight, because we need a win this year," said Adam Kuranishi, 21, and also an organizer of today's rally.
The DREAM Act is a piece of proposed federal legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for youth who graduate from US high schools, show good moral character, arrived to the US before the age of 16, and complete at least 2 years of college or armed forces.
The Immigrant Youth Justice League is a Chicago-based organization representing undocumented youth in the demand for immigrant rights through education, resource-gathering and youth mobilization. For more information visit www.iyjl.org. For information on the national project to pass the DREAM Act, and other actions nationwide visit www.thedreamiscoming.com
###
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.