“At the end of the day, if the DREAM Act is forgotten, my story is going to be just another one of many immigration tragedies. But I am not the important one here. The only thing that differentiates me from the person who has spent countless hours behind a computer screen, writing letters in support of the DREAM Act, or the person who has called their Senators and Representatives 137 times in the past week, or the person who has emailed all of their friends to please contact their Congressional representatives, is that I have lost my anonymity. These are the true heroes of the DREAM Act, those who work behind screens and who gather to share their stories in small group settings— those who network via Facebook, or on Twitter, to make others aware of the importance of the DREAM. These are the people who truly deserve, but cannot get, the attention.”
Benita Veliz writing for Red Brown and Blue

Benita first contacted us 5 months ago, seeking help and guidance on her case. Her story was published on Change.org and she was encouraged to share it with as many media outlets as possible. The New York Times took it on as did the local press and soon Benny was on her way to being one of the most vocal advocates for the DREAM Act. A few weeks ago, another hearing had her case deferred by 3 more months. In the space of these 3 months, Benny has pledged to work on the DREAM Act. There is also hope for a private bill to stay her deportation. At the 2009 National DREAM Graduation, she was deservingly given a Student Leadership award.

Listen to her passionate speech above. I saw quite a few people with tears in their eyes by the time Benny was done speaking. Her words and her work for this movement will certainly live on.

Congrats Benny! We are with you all the way.