Amigos Internacional

Trail of Dreams

Trail of Dreams is a group of students from Florida who are marching to Washington DC from Miami, FL to call attention to the situation of undocumented students and push for policy change. 

Link to Trail of Dreams Website:
http://www.trail2010.org/

Many students were brought to the US as children and do not find out that they are ineligible for college financial assistance, social security cards, or drivers licenses until nearly finishing high school. Due to current laws, most have no way to apply for legal residency and face deportation if discovered. 

This group of students began their walk on January 1st with the goal of creating a path for residency for students that graduate high school and begin secondary education.  They want others who feel strongly about this to join their march for however long or to meet in Washington, D.C for their arrival on May 1, 2010.

There is a current version of the DREAM Act (S. 729) that was introduced on March 26, 2009 by Senators Durbin D-IL and Lugar R-IN, and a bill in the house of reps (H.R. 1751).  With support from constituents, these bills will rise to the Senate floor for discussion and a vote this year, possibly being attached to comprehensive immigration reform.

If you feel strongly about creating opportunities for undocumented students please send an email to trailofdreams2010@gmail.com with a letter of support, visit their website, and contact their local representative to voice support to the DREAM Act.

The Centro Latino would like a group of supporters to meet these advocates at the border of North Carolina.  Contact us if you are interested.

  

More information about the DREAM Act and the march:
http://www.dreamactivist.org/trail-2010/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dreamactivist+%28DreamActivist.Org%29

Link to article from Washingtons Post:
Youth Trek from Miami to DC for Immigrant's Rights
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/01/AR2010010100797.html?hpid=sec-education

Link to article from New York Times
To Overhaul Immigration Advocated Alter Tactics:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/02/us/02immig.html

¿Qué es el "DREAM Act"?

El "DREAM Act" permite que ciertos estudiantes migrantes que han crecido en los Estados Unidos de America, puedan ajustar su estatus legal temporalmente y que de manera eventual puedan obtener su residencia permanente siempre y cuando hayan ido a la Universidad o entrado al servicio militar en los Estados Unidos de America.  Esta propuesta aplicaría a estudiantes en escuelas públicas y privadas, incluyendo escuelas católicas.  La premisa de "DREAM" es que la juventud migrante no debería ser impedida de trabajar hacia un futuro más promisorio solo porque fueron traídos por sus padres a los Estados Unidos de America a una edad temprana sin un estatus legal.  "DREAM" busca proveer a estos estudiantes con una oportunidad justa para ganarse su ciudadanía y contribuir al país al que llaman hogar.

¿Qué se puede hacer?

Se necesita de su acción para pasar el "DREAM Act."  Muchos esfuerzos se han hecho para pasar esta importante legislación desde 2001, en 2007 "DREAM" no pasó solo por unos pocos votos en el senado.  "DREAM" tiene el soporte de miembros de ambos partidos y del Presidente Obama.  Sin embargo, se necesita fuerza y momento en los meses venideros para vencer a la oposición y asegurarse que "DREAM" se vuelva una ley.


PUNTOS IMPORTANTES:

• Estoy llamando al Senador/Representante para pedirle que co-patrocine o soporte "DREAM."  El "Dream Act" permitaría a la juventud migrante que se ha graduado de la escuela preparatoria con por lo menos 15 años de edad y que han vivido en los Estados Unidos de America por 5 años, aplicar para una residencia permanente, una vez que hayan completado dos años de Universidad o 2 años de servicio militar.  Esta propuesta permitará a los estados ofrecer a sus jóvenes soporte económico sin restricciones.
• Estos jóvenes llegaron a los Estados Unidos de America como niños con sus padres, ellos no entraron a este país de manera ilegal por su propia voluntad, no conocen otro hogar que no sea los Estados Unidos de America y desean la oportunidad de ofrecer sus habilidades y liderazgo a nuestra nación.  Seria insensato no darles esa oportunidad.
• Les pido de manera urgente que co-patrocinen esta legislación que podría ayudar a 65,000 estudiantes anualmente a salir de las sombras y perseguir su futuro.

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CARTA "MUESTRA"

DATO

Estimado Representate/Senador:

Por favor co patrocine el "Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act" (DREAM Act).  "DREAM Act" permitará a la juventud que se lo merezca, una justa oportunidad para regularizar su estatus legal y ciudadanía mediante su acceso a universidades o sirviendo honorablemente en el ejercito de los Estados Unidos de America.  A ninguna persona debería impedírsele la oportunidad a un mejor futuro basados solamente en el hecho de que sus padres los trajeron a los Estados Unidos de America a temprana edad sin documentos legales.

El "DREAM Act" beneficiaria únicamente a estudiantes migrantes destacados que se han graduado de la escuela preparatoria y también han demostrado buena educación moral.  Esta ley les daría un estatus legal como residentes permanentes solo si continúan trbajando para lograr su titulo universitario o en el servicio militar.

Los estudiantes migrantes representan una gran parte de la fuerza trabajadora del mañana, invertir en su futuro es invertir en el futuro de la vida de la economía y sociedad americana.  Mas importante, "DREAM" representa una política justa y en la dirección de lo correcto.

Le pido su importante soporte para esta legislación.  Gracias por su atención a la presente.

Sinceramente,

What is the DREAM Act?

The DREAM Act permits certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to adjust to temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent resident status provided that they attend college or enter the U.S. military.  This bill would apply to students in public and private schools, including Catholic schools.  The premise of Dream is that immigrant youth should not be hindered from working towards a more promising future solely because they were brought to the United States by their parents at a young age without legal status.  DREAM seeks to provide these students a fair chance to earn citizenship and to contribute to the country they call home.

What can you do?

Your action is needed to help pass the DREAM Act.  Efforts have been made to pass this important legislation since 2001, and DREAM failed in 2007 by only a few votes in the Senate.  DREAM does enjoy support from members of both parties and is backed by President Obama.  However, significant grassroots momentum is needed in the coming months to overcome opposition and ensure that DREAM becomes law.

TALKING POINTS:

• I am calling to ask Senator/Representative to co-sponsor or support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM, S. 729, H.R. 1751).  The DREAM Act would permit immigrant youth who have graduated high school, are at least fifteen years of age, and have lived in the United States five years, to apply for permanent residence, provided they complete two years of college or served two years in the military.  It also would permit states to offere these young persons in-state tuition without restriction.
• These young persons came to the United States as children with their parents, so did not enter the United States illegally on their own accord.  They know no other homeland than the United States, and want the opportunity to offer their skills and leadership to our nation.  We would be foolhardy not to give them that.
• I urge you to cosponsor this legislation, which could help 65,000 students per year come out of the shadows and pursue their futures.

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SAMPLE LETTER

DATE

Dear Representative/Senator:

Please co-sponsor the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).  The DREAM Act would permit deserving immigrant youth a fair chance at legal status and citizenship by attending college or serving honorably in the U.S. military.  No one should be barred from working towards a more promising future solely because their parents brought them to the United States at a young age without legal status.

The DREAM Act would only benefit upstanding immigrant students who have graduated high school and demonstrated good moral character.  It would confer permanent legal resident status upon them only if they work to achieve a college degree or honorable military service.

Immigrant students representa a sizeable portion of tomorrow's workforce.  Investing in their future is an investment in the future of the life of our American economy and society.  More importantly, DREAM represents just and fair policy.  It is the right thing to do.

I urge your support for this important legislation.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,