Mission Statement

This site is dedicated to the passage of the federal DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act), a bipartisan legislation that would permit a select group of undocumented students conditional legal status and eventual citizenship.

Dreamactivist.org is the national link to aid organizations, communities and individuals to come together and find new ways to achieve the passage of the Dream Act and other pro-migrant reforms. We are undocumented students that are working 24-7 for other undocumented students, families and allies, and we approach this with the understanding that this is not just a cause; it is our lives.

Every year, thousands of undocumented students graduate from college and high school. Most people in the United States are unaware of this growing group and their everyday struggles for the American Dream. In the same vein, many of the undocumented students do not know what the DREAM Act is and what they can do to help its passage.

The key words are links and community. The United States of America is a large community. Unfortunately, many individuals and organizations are like little islands. Isolated, they face a political climate that is every day more hostile to immigrants in general.

History

After the defeat of the DREAM Act in 2007, several undocumented students from around the country decided to come together and launch a real grassroots efforts for the DREAM Act that included both online and offline networking. In December 2008, we were appointed as the national communication center for the United We DREAM coalition of over 40 different organizations (beltway, educators, and student groups) dedicated to the passage of the DREAM Act.

Core Values

• No human being is illegal. Legal/Illegal is not a permanent immutable condition.
• Assigning no blame – Adolescents and young adults cannot be held legally responsible for what they were forced to do as minors. The alleged transgressions of our parents are not up for debate or discussion.
• Redefining – What is an ‘American?’ One need not have a piece of paper or nine-digit number to be considered American.
• Networking – Acting as private autonomous individuals may not make much of a difference but a well-organized community can change the world.
• Taking initiative is critical. “Someone should ______” in regards to taking action, needs to be dropped for “I did _____.”
• Education – Reason is the best weapon against hate.
• Build bridges of understanding, compassion and acceptance, not walls and boundaries of shame, hatred and xenophobia.
• Work for what you want: two people are already working against you.
• Treat the illness not the symptoms. It might seem that getting more visas for nurses might cut the shortage for this type of workers but why import workers when we have DREAM Act students that are studying nursing here in the United States, already know English, assimilated and want to help reduce the nursing shortage? Or It might seem that you only need a scholarship to solve your problem but the problem is not lack of funding; it is your inability to get any funding due to your lack of legal status.

Key Tenets

Educate the population at large about the plight of undocumented students. The vast majority of Americans do not know the many struggles faced by undocumented students and many facts have been distorted. A prime purpose of this site is to deconstruct several myths about the DREAM Act and show how it is beneficial to pursue this policy option, not just for the undocumented students, but for the good of America as a nation.

Encourage citizens and undocumented students to become politically active in the country they consider their own. Allowing them to realize their potential and the capacity they have to change the climate and course of the political debate.

Support undocumented students, families and allies. Besides an activist network, we are also a support group for undocumented students and allies. We also have a growing network of DREAM Act students among us that blog their thoughts, dreams, aspirations and opinions. You can seek help from us to get your started on your own blog, or get the answers you need to your immigration questions.

Freedom; both citizens and undocumented students should have the freedom to become as involved as they choose. Fear and ignorance do not allow many capable individuals to change the course of the political debate. Many undocumented students are discouraged to speak up because they might face the consequences of their defiance towards the status quo. Many citizens fear to defend and “unpopular” and “controversial” issue and receive a hostile response. Individuals should choose their level of involvement, from national campaigns to intense grassroots work, people can adjust their level of comfort.

Community, each individual and organization is welcome to come and be part of the site. Together, our contribution is vital to breaking down walls of intolerance and difference, and building bridges for the ultimate passage of the DREAM Act.

Immediate Goals

• Get students out of the shadows and get them connected with immigration support groups in their local areas
• Establish a strong and resilient undocumented bloggers action network (UBAN) with legal support
• Provide an online support and action group for undocumented students and allies across the United States
• Establish a hate-free zone for undocumented students and allies.
• Act as a resource medium – the ultimate ‘DREAM’ directory on the web
• Work with the broader immigrant rights movement and the pro-migrant blogsphere in getting the DREAM Act passed.

Long Term Goals

• Establishing a base for DREAM Act students and organizations to aid students after the DREAM Act is passed.
• Working to get comprehensive immigration reforms

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