DREAM graduation for hopeful youth

By Cristina FrésquezEl SemanarioJune 25, 2009President Obama’s commitment to address comprehensive immigration reform this year has sparked anational movement and several national actions over the past months, to urge legislators and thePresident to fix the broken immigration system. Metro Denver organizations and activists haveparticipated in the national actions, bringing the issue of comprehensive immigration reform to thepeople of Colorado.
Early this week, student organizers from Metro Organizations for People (MOP) and Jóvenes Unidosstood in front of the State Capitol in solidarity with thousands of other students across the country toparticipate in the National DREAM Graduation ceremony on June 23, to urge Congress and the Senateto pass the DREAM Act and the American Dream Act.
“The DREAM Act is about giving hope to people my age, for going to college and becoming a citizenhere in the U.S. It gives us a reason to work hard and reach for our goals. Our future is at stake, so weas youth are standing up for the right to have an education,” explained Jesus, a 13 year-old student atCésar Chávez Academy.
Each year, 65,000 immigrant students who graduate from U.S. high schools are barred from pursuingtheir dreams of higher education. The mock graduation ceremony highlighted those youth who areundocumented and unable to access higher education and contribute to society. For over five yearsstudents and immigrant rights activists have been working on a national level to push for the passageof the DREAM Act.
Several student speakers discussed the impact that unjust immigration laws have had on their lives, thelives’ of their peers and their ability to access higher education.
“It is devastating to see people who were once so cheerful and positive go through their livescontinually asking why they should continue to work so hard when faced with the storm of a brokenimmigration system, if they will never get to see the rainbow after the storm,” stated Elisa, a studentmember of MOP. “So, I stand before you today saying, we are not legal or illegal – we are human, onerace, one humanity.”
The DREAM Act and the American Dream Act would restore states’ rights to determine residencyrequirements for in-state tuition and establish a path to legal status and eventual citizenship forundocumented youth. The Acts are currently Senate and Congress versions, with minor differences inage requirements and tuition assistance. The national graduation ceremonies were held to recognizethe talents and significant academic achievements of immigrant students who would benefit from thelegislation, highlighting their contributions and service in local communities.
Approximately 50,000 undocumented students are currently enrolled in higher education institutionsacross the U.S. who are eligible for the DREAM Act. They are educating themselves in hopes of theDREAM Act passage so they can legalize their status and pursue their dreams.
“Despite being shoved into the shadow, and being repeatedly told that we are criminals and that we areworthless, we refuse to be victimized by a few hate-filled individuals,” proclaimed immigrant collegestudent Hans. “We can not wait one more year for our dreams to be deferred, for our talents and ourpotentials to be wasted. In order for our country to move forward, we need to move forward together.”
For info: www.dreamactivist.org/dream-graduations-coast-coast. Supporters are urged to contactPresident Obama at 1-866-961-2143 for the passage of immigration reform and the DREAM Act.
Also, join the national movement form text “justice” or “justicia” to 69866.