Media coverage for DREAM Act Day of Action

September 24, 2009 in Events by Matias Ramos

Here’s a summary of news articles, with highlighted quotes and details. Thanks to all the organizations and student groups that helped drive this coverage. Let me know what I missed. Enjoy! -M

The Technician (North Carolina State University): University students advocate DREAM for immigration reform

Freshman Manuel Vazquez said he wanted to inform the public that illegal immigrants are a part of the country’s culture. “Undocumented immigrants are the kids you grew up with in school, on sports, teams, and in clubs,” Vazquez said. “They aren’t criminals. In fact most of them have clean records. They are just like everyone else who want to do their best, get an American education, and make the most out of their life.”

The Daily Lobo (University of New Mexico): DREAM aims to improve immigrantsâ€™ educations

Student Julie Merler-Smith said that she is in favor of the DREAM Act thanks to the demonstration at the Plaza. â€œI like that the act is supporting kids that have grown up here and are law-abiding and want to make something of themselves, (helping them) to obtain higher education if they desire to, as well as citizenship,â€ she said.

KRQE News 13 (New Mexico): Rally supports child illegal immigrants (includes video)

â€œIt doesn’t matter if they came here illegally,â€ Lee Kittell said as he signed his name to the petition supporting the bill. “If they’ve been contributing to society they need to be citizens.”

Denver Daily News: Students rally for DREAM Act support

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., echoed Rashadâ€™s comments in a statement that was addressed to the rallyâ€™s attendees. While serving as superintendent for the Denver Public School System, he witnessed â€œsome of our best and brightestâ€ have their potential cut short, he said. â€œInstead of punishing them for the action of others, we should reward them because in the end our whole state will reap the rewards of a stronger workforce and a stronger economy,â€ he said in the statement. â€œThose who work hard and play by the rules should have the chance to live the American dream.â€ (My note: Does that mean he will co-sponsor the bill?)

Houston Chronicle: Students push for bill to help undocumented grads

“These young people are not strangers … they have played with our children,” said the Rev. Gerald Britt of Central Dallas Ministries. “They only ask for the opportunity.”

The Daily Texan (University of Texas) – News article: Students assemble to back a DREAM and opinion piece: Reasons for the DREAM Act

The event was the first time undeclared freshman Henry Zaragoza heard of the proposed bill. â€œIâ€™m really motivated now to help out with the cause,â€ Zaragoza said.

The Ledger (Lakeland, FL): Event Helps Educate on Immigration Reform

Wednesday evening, about 180 people attended an information session to learn more about immigration reform at the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Sr. Community Center in Mulberry. The event, coordinated by the local group Youth for Change, was one of many United We DREAM Coalition events held in more than 25 states across the country Wednesday.

The Gainesville Sun: Students rally for change to U.S. immigration policy

(University of Florida President) Machen met with the students and signed the petition himself, telling them he supported a similar state measure as president of the University of Utah.”It’s a great cause, it’s a great proposal,” he said. “It’s time for action.”

Channel 13 News (Central Florida): Immigrant students rally for Higher Education

The Independent Florida Alligator: Students hold demonstration for DREAM Act

Orlando Sentinel: Students to march for legalization of immigrant youth

“What I am excited about is that this is really a youth-led effort,” said Sister Ann Kendrick, a Roman Catholic nun with the Hope CommUnity Center. “That in itself is worth it, regardless of the outcome, whether it changes minds or not. It is an act of solidarity and empowerment for these kids.”

The Seattle Times (Editorial): The DREAM Act must pass to give young people a future

Congress can do that but has failed, since 2001, to pass the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. The DREAM Act is an elegant solution that gives young people with good moral character and academic success or military service the right to earn legal status. The bill has been a casualty of the larger, bitter immigration debate but it has broad bipartisan support, including both of Washington’s U.S. senators and President Obama

Free Speech Radion News: University of Washington graduate Alonso Chehade resists deportation order

KOMONEWS.com (Channel 4 Seattle): UW grad facing deportation gets last-minute reprieve

State Rep. Dave Quall, chairman of Education Appropriations Committee, agrees. The Democrat from Mount Vernon believes the young man would do well if he were allowed to stay. “You can see he’s a quality person,” said Quall. “And we’ve made a huge investment, and to just discard it doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.”

NY Daily News (Opinion piece): Dawdling pols no help to immigrant’s Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act

“Well, Labor Day has come and gone and there is still no path to legalization for undocumented students in this country,” said the New York State Youth Leadership Council that organized the demonstration with the United We Dream Network, a coalition of groups working for the bill’s passage. “And another school year has started for more than 65,000 high school seniors across the U.S. who face an uncertain future because of our failed immigration system,” the council’s statement added.

Dallas Morning News: Students push for bill to help undocumented grads