Ask Congressman Sherman to cosponsor the DREAM Act
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Melanie Schmidt
Aug 28, 2009, 5:07:31 PM8/28/09
to wecha...@googlegroups.com, Lizbeth Mateo
Dear WeChangeLA Members,
I am writing with a request that you join the Steering Committee of WeChangeLA in taking a stand on an issue that is very close to my own heart, the DREAM Act. On September 2nd, a group of Los Angeles students called the LA DREAM Team will meet with Congressman Brad Sherman and ask him to become a co-sponsor of the 2009 DREAM Act. I will join them as a representative of WeChangeLA. In order to show support for the DREAM Act in his district, the Steering Committee is asking the members of WeChangeLA and other community members from the 27th Congressional Distrtic to add their names to the letter that I will deliver to him at this meeting. You can sign the letter by clicking here.
What is that DREAM Act?
The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that would allow young people who came to the United States as children, without proper immigration documents, to earn a chance to become citizens as adults. The act would allow undocumented people who came (or were brought) to the United States when they were under age 16 and have lived here for at least five years to earn citizenship by completing two years of college education or military service, as well as meeting other requirements related to their character. You can read the full act here.
Who would benefit from the DREAM Act?
All of the young people who would benefit from the DREAM Act were born in another county, but most came here when they were so young that the United States is really the only country they have ever known. Dreamies, as they sometimes call themselves, come from a wide range of countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Many are in high school or college right now. Some are in their twenties or early 30's, and have waited decades for a chance to become a part of the country where they grew up.
Let me share the story of the student who taught me about the DREAM Act: I first heard about the Act in a paper written by one of my students at UCLA, who was writing about the history of immigration. Although this student has lived in the United States since he was only a few years old, because his family came here without proper immigration documents, he is not eligible for permanent residency, a driver's license, or the social security number that would allow him to work. The DREAM Act would allow him to legalize his status. He graduated last year, but cannot put his UCLA degree to work in America unless the DREAM Act passes. Returning to the country where he was born is not a realistic option, as he has no memory of it, and no real remaining family ties there. Like thousands of others, he is waiting for the chance to become a part of this country, which he feels is his country, and give back to it. Since hearing about the Act, I have learned the stories of dozens more young people in Los Angeles who have pinned their hopes for a future on this Act. Many of them have already completed higher education, but cannot contribute fully to the country they feel is their own unless the Act is passed. A group of UCLA students who would benefit from the Act tell their stories at Underground Undergrads.
Why are you asking Congressman Sherman to become a Cosponsor?
In order to advance the DREAM Act, either as an independent bill or as a vital part of comprehensive reform, the bill needs as much support as possible. So far, this year's version has 91 cosponsors in the House and 23 in the Senate. The more cosponsors the bill has, the better chance it has of coming to the floor for a vote. The DREAM Act has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, but needs more co-sponsors if it is to have a chance at a floor vote this year. If comprehensive reform cannot be passed before the mid-term elections in 2010, many groups believe that the DREAM Act should be passed as a "down payment" on broader reform and as a counter balance to the increased immigration law enforcement that is already taking place.
Why should I add my name as a supporter of the DREAM Act?
Because the DREAM Act fulfills the commitment inscribed on the Statue of Liberty to lift a "lamp beside the golden door." Allowing children who have grown up in our country, but through no fault of their own do not have proper immigration documents, to earn a chance to become citizens is compassionate and just, and it allows them the chance to give back to the country that has raised them to believe in its principles.
Please join us in supporting the dreams of students in Los Angeles. Take a moment right now to make a difference.
Click here to add your name to our letter to Congressman Sherman.
What else can I do?
1) Forward this email to friends who live in the San Fernando Valley's 27th Congressional District and ask them to sign the letter.
2) On September 2, the Dream Team will hold a call-in day in support of the DREAM Act to show community support on the same day as our meeting with the Congressman. WeChangeLA will send an email on that day asking you to call in, but you can call his office anytime next week and encourage him to become a co-sponsor. His number is at (818) 501-9200.
3)Also, if you belong to any organization or group with members in Sherman's district that would be willing to write a letter asking Congressman Sherman to support the DREAM Act, please email me at mschm...@gmail.com. Any organization, from a democratic club to a book club, can write a letter.
Click here to add your name to our letter to Congressman Sherman.
We need your signature by Tuesday, September 1st, but please, click the underlined link above right now.
Thank you for making time to make Change in Los Angeles,
Melanie
Ps. If you have any questions about the DREAM Act, please contact me or read the full bill here.
I am writing with a request that you join the Steering Committee of WeChangeLA in taking a stand on an issue that is very close to my own heart, the DREAM Act. On September 2nd, a group of Los Angeles students called the LA DREAM Team will meet with Congressman Brad Sherman and ask him to become a co-sponsor of the 2009 DREAM Act. I will join them as a representative of WeChangeLA. In order to show support for the DREAM Act in his district, the Steering Committee is asking the members of WeChangeLA and other community members from the 27th Congressional Distrtic to add their names to the letter that I will deliver to him at this meeting. You can sign the letter by clicking here.
What is that DREAM Act?
The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that would allow young people who came to the United States as children, without proper immigration documents, to earn a chance to become citizens as adults. The act would allow undocumented people who came (or were brought) to the United States when they were under age 16 and have lived here for at least five years to earn citizenship by completing two years of college education or military service, as well as meeting other requirements related to their character. You can read the full act here.
Who would benefit from the DREAM Act?
All of the young people who would benefit from the DREAM Act were born in another county, but most came here when they were so young that the United States is really the only country they have ever known. Dreamies, as they sometimes call themselves, come from a wide range of countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa. Many are in high school or college right now. Some are in their twenties or early 30's, and have waited decades for a chance to become a part of the country where they grew up.
Let me share the story of the student who taught me about the DREAM Act: I first heard about the Act in a paper written by one of my students at UCLA, who was writing about the history of immigration. Although this student has lived in the United States since he was only a few years old, because his family came here without proper immigration documents, he is not eligible for permanent residency, a driver's license, or the social security number that would allow him to work. The DREAM Act would allow him to legalize his status. He graduated last year, but cannot put his UCLA degree to work in America unless the DREAM Act passes. Returning to the country where he was born is not a realistic option, as he has no memory of it, and no real remaining family ties there. Like thousands of others, he is waiting for the chance to become a part of this country, which he feels is his country, and give back to it. Since hearing about the Act, I have learned the stories of dozens more young people in Los Angeles who have pinned their hopes for a future on this Act. Many of them have already completed higher education, but cannot contribute fully to the country they feel is their own unless the Act is passed. A group of UCLA students who would benefit from the Act tell their stories at Underground Undergrads.
Why are you asking Congressman Sherman to become a Cosponsor?
In order to advance the DREAM Act, either as an independent bill or as a vital part of comprehensive reform, the bill needs as much support as possible. So far, this year's version has 91 cosponsors in the House and 23 in the Senate. The more cosponsors the bill has, the better chance it has of coming to the floor for a vote. The DREAM Act has bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, but needs more co-sponsors if it is to have a chance at a floor vote this year. If comprehensive reform cannot be passed before the mid-term elections in 2010, many groups believe that the DREAM Act should be passed as a "down payment" on broader reform and as a counter balance to the increased immigration law enforcement that is already taking place.
Why should I add my name as a supporter of the DREAM Act?
Because the DREAM Act fulfills the commitment inscribed on the Statue of Liberty to lift a "lamp beside the golden door." Allowing children who have grown up in our country, but through no fault of their own do not have proper immigration documents, to earn a chance to become citizens is compassionate and just, and it allows them the chance to give back to the country that has raised them to believe in its principles.
Please join us in supporting the dreams of students in Los Angeles. Take a moment right now to make a difference.
Click here to add your name to our letter to Congressman Sherman.
What else can I do?
1) Forward this email to friends who live in the San Fernando Valley's 27th Congressional District and ask them to sign the letter.
2) On September 2, the Dream Team will hold a call-in day in support of the DREAM Act to show community support on the same day as our meeting with the Congressman. WeChangeLA will send an email on that day asking you to call in, but you can call his office anytime next week and encourage him to become a co-sponsor. His number is at (818) 501-9200.
3)Also, if you belong to any organization or group with members in Sherman's district that would be willing to write a letter asking Congressman Sherman to support the DREAM Act, please email me at mschm...@gmail.com. Any organization, from a democratic club to a book club, can write a letter.
Click here to add your name to our letter to Congressman Sherman.
We need your signature by Tuesday, September 1st, but please, click the underlined link above right now.
Thank you for making time to make Change in Los Angeles,
Melanie
Ps. If you have any questions about the DREAM Act, please contact me or read the full bill here.
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