On February 28, 2010, several undocumented young leaders from all across the state of Washington decided to join forces through a conference call, and launched the Washington Dream Act Coalition (WDAC).

Since the DREAM Act was introduced in Congress in 2009, Washington’s undocumented youth have been less active in grassroots efforts aimed at passing the DREAM Act than other states. However, as time runs out to make the DREAM Act a reality in 2010, affected local youth are becoming aware of the need to get better organized and to act. These upcoming months could be their last opportunity to push for this legislation and other pro-migrant reforms.

“As an undocumented student, getting involved, advocating for the rights of immigrants, and speaking out on my experiences has helped me to feel safer.” said Luis Ortega, a local longtime advocate for the DREAM Act and one of the founders of WDAC. “I know that as of right now I don’t have many guarantees, but I’ve found the greatest sense of self-identity and pride in the fact that I’m undocumented. Yes, I might not have documents, but I know who I am and for what I am advocating.”

Over the past months, Washington organizers have gained powerful new supporters, including local legislators, organizations, unions, academic institutions, and religious leaders, while long-time supporters are getting more involved. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, as well as Governor Chris Gregoire were personally involved in helping a local undocumented student who was put into deportation proceedings nine months ago, and who has now been allowed to stay in the country indefinitely.

As a new grassroots movement infrastructure grows, Washington state should expect to see growth in activism around the DREAM Act and more local youth staking out their place in the political process.