Convened by Julia Solow and Holly Martin
Table E 4pm
Attendees: Steve Smith, Rosemary Nicholson, Diane Rolle, Bryon Peachey, Mike Medley, Charlie Striukler, David Metzler, Ian Brammer Johnson, Maya Ajin, David Kreider, Pamyla A Yatis, Maria Murerwa, Esther Bittinger, Steve Shenk, Leah Rosenwasser, Maria Martinez, Fredy Martinez, Holly Martin, Gustavo Maldonado, Cheryl Woelk, Scott Kim, Erin Gumm
What is DREAM Act?
- Opens a door to citizenship, higher education and legal work for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States at a young age.
- Eligibility:
- Must be under age 30 and have arrived in U.S. before age 15
- Must have been U.S. for at least 5 consecutive years
- No criminal record
- High school degree or GED equivalent
- Best ways to get people to advocate for DREAM Act – personal stories
- Ways to advocate for DREAM (see below)
- How respond to those who feel illegal immigration is not respecting our country?
- Some opinions: the law is inhumane, caring more about violating laws that could kill me than ones regarding illegal immigration (ie. traffic laws), we all come from immigrants
- DREAM Act versus Comprehensive Immigration Reform
- Will the DREAM Act just pacify? Will changes end at the DREAM Act and not go on to further reforms for the rest?
- The DREAM Act is just a start, a first step, in the long fight towards broader immigrant rights
- The DREAM Act has broad impacts since it gives children a reason to be in school National Dream Act Movement
- www.dreamactivist.org
- Local Dream Activist-VA Group
- Take action for the DREAM Act:
- Sign the DREAM Act petition at www.dreamactivist.com
- Write personal letters to Senator Warner describing your support of the DREAM Act.
- Call your representatives’ office and let them know you support the DREAM.
- Join the DREAM Activist – Virginia group in Harrisonburg. We meet every Tuesday night at 7:30 at Earth & Tea (except this week! May 26th)
- Tell immigrant High School youth you know about the DREAM Activist – VA College Outreach Night at Pueblo Grande, 6:30 – 8pm, Tuesday, May 26th
- Join DREAM Activist – Virginia for their rally on June 9th, details TBA
- Join DREAM Activist – Virginia’s Facebook Group to keep up with upcoming events/ways to take action!
