New Book on Dreamers

It was over a year ago when we first presented our book, Underground Undergrads, to our readers. With the growing movement around the Dream Act, particularly with the emerging strength of the nationwide United We Dream Coalition, we have seen a flurry of articles, editorials, and endorsements since then.

Now another book is out, narrating some more tough stories of perseverance and success all leading to a similar conclusion: We need the Dream Act now!

Dr. William Perez, an assistant Professor of Education at Claremont Graduate University, documents the lives of undocumented students at different stages of their academic careers, starting with high school all through college graduates. However, Dr. Perez doesn't end it there. With a fabulous anecdote of "what if?" he acquaints us with the world of success of those formerly undocumented college graduates as his own offering of hope -- not just for those in waiting, but for those in doubt.

In case you didn't catch him on NPR this August, have a listen here. The book, We ARE Americans: Undocumented Students Pursuing the American Dream is now available for ordering. If you simply can't wait until your book arrives, I hope this sample chapter holds you over.

*Bonus* 30% of author royalty earnings will be donated to scholarship programs for undocumented students

DREAM Act Discussed on The Lawyers Guild

click here: to listen


Our friend Chris Newman from NDLON (National Day Laborers Organizing Network) discusses the DREAM Act around 24:20 with Jim Lafferty on KPFK's The National Lawyers Guild.

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Building Leadership from Within Conference

On Saturday August 1st, DREAM Team LA(DTLA)/Underground undergrads was invited to Buena Park for the Orange County Dream Team and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) "Building Leadership from Within" conference. When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised to see a resource table where they were selling the Underground Undergrad book. We spoke on the panel "Organizers in the 21st Century" which we shared with Raul Romero from AFSCME, and other organizers who spoke about the labor movement. We promoted the DTLA Open House (we passed out DTLA open house flyers), talked about what DTLA has been doing, and the importance of unions supporting the DREAM Act.

Labor union support is pivotal to pass the DREAM Act and the support from Labor unions from the O.C. to L.A. is continuously growing. After meeting with Congressional members staffers I have learned that they really take notice to the support we have from unions. It's great to see that more and more unions are endorsing the DREAM Act.

DREAM Act on Strategy Session at our Local 90.7 KPFK

What's the latest on the DREAM Act? What's going on?

Click here to listen to Matias talk about the DREAM Act on Strategy Session with Antonio Gonzales.

U.S. Department of Education Secretary Supports DREAM

Arne Duncan, U.S. Department of Education Secretar, stated his Support for the DREAM ACT. Click here for more.

Dream Team Los Angeles Open House

The Dream Team of Los Angeles is a combination of various organizations and individuals committed to working on the passage of the Dream Act (including the Underground Undergrads team, of course). Our first event was last month when we participated in the National Dream Graduation.

This coming week we hope inform fellow community members about how they can become involved in the campaign. Join us! Refreshments will be served.

For more information, comment here, or e-mail us at dreamteamlosangeles [at] gmail.com.

A DREAM Conversation with the Unitarian Universalist Church

On Sunday July 5th, the Underground Undergrads Team was invited to speak during the service for the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica.

Beautifully coordinated by the pulpit host of that day, Vilma Ortiz, the service highlighted the plight of immigrants in our country. The sermon was delivered by Kent Wong, Director at the UCLA Labor Center and a student member of our team, whose story inspired many members to continue asking questions--and seeking answers--after the ceremony.

We thank the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Monica for allowing us to share our story with wonderful, embracing people.

Faith-based support is increasing around the DREAM Act, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, among others. If your organization would like to endorse the DREAM Act, please contact United We Dream here.

Pass the DREAM Act: Oh behalf of ...Jeb Bush & Co.

Edward Alden, Council on Foreign Relations

Mary Boies, Boies & McInnis LLP

Robert C. Bonner, The Sentinel HS Group/Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Jeb Bush, Jeb Bush and Associates, LLC

Allan E. Goodman, Institute of International Education

Gordon H. Hanson, University of California, San Diego

Michael H. Jordan, MHJ Holdings Co

More here

Wisconsin Grants In-state - Excellent!

According to Wikipedia (it's okay, I have a degree) Wisconsin, along with Minnesota and Michigan, was among the Midwestern leaders in the emergent American state university movement following the Civil War in the United States

Today, Wisconsin took another step further and realized that all it's citizens have equal rights when it comes to educational access.

full story
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/49470657.html


"Excellent!" (Guitar Riff)

Yeah, Wayne's World (Milwaukee,WI) I'm that old and still no DREAM Act.

Walter Lara: The DREAM Act Stopping Deportation One Case at a Time.

Here is another story of a DREAM Act "Poster Child," a stellar student on the brink of deportation. Reminds us of the many students with deportation cases here in Los Angeles.

full story NY Times.

Deportation Delayed for ‘Dream Act’ Campaign Focus

By JULIA PRESTON

Published: July 2, 2009

Immigration authorities have postponed for one year the deportation of Walter Lara, an immigrant from Argentina who said he had come to the United States illegally with his parents when he was 3, officials said. Mr. Lara, an honors graduate of high school and community college in Miami, was the focus of a campaign by supporters of proposed legislation known as the Dream Act, which would grant legal status to young illegal immigrants who have lived for years in the United States. Lawmakers including Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, wrote a letter on his behalf. Mr. Lara was scheduled to be deported on July 6.