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.

Support the DREAM ACT! On Behalf Of....

On behalf of:
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers
American Association of Community Colleges
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Association of University Professors
American College Personnel Association
American Council on Education
American Dental Education Association
American Indian Higher Education Consortium
APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities
Association of American Colleges and Universities
Association of American Universities
Association of Community College Trustees
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities
Association of Research Libraries
College Board
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Opportunity in Education
EDUCAUSE
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
National Association of College and University Business Officers
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
National Collegiate Athletic Association
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
University Continuing Education Association
Women’s College Coalition

for the Letter click here

Children's Aid Society

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/30/opinion/lweb30dream.html



Opening a Door to Young Immigrants
June 29, 2009
To the Editor:

Your editorial about the Dream Act and the doors that are currently closed to undocumented young people (“Graduation Dreams,” June 24) provided more wrenching testimony about the waste of human potential fostered by our current immigration policies.

The youth you describe and thousands of others like them in the United States want to get on with their lives, finish their educations, get jobs and continue to contribute to their adopted country. This worthy legislation will allow law-abiding students to graduate, obtain meaningful employment and plan for the future. They want to contribute to the only home they have ever known. These children hold the keys to America’s future and should not be denied their dreams.

I trust that President Obama will put these deserving youth on the path to brighter, legitimate futures.

C. Warren Moses
Chief Executive
The Children’s Aid Society
New York, June 26, 2009

OBAMA: USCIS Website on Board with E-mails/Text Messaging

According to President Obama on his meeting with Congress about Immigration, "USICS will launch a vastly improved Web site that will, for the first time ever, allow applicants to get updates on their status of their applications via e-mail and text message and online. "

Now DREAM Act students can be notified about their deportation cases in a more efficient manner. Here's how it will go:

[DREAM Act student and friend in Astronomy 101]

"Anything new?" - asks friend.

DREAM Act student looks at laptop and replies, "Let's see, Express has a sale, my transcripts order went through, oh and I have 60 days to leave the country!"









-the end

DREAM Act 2009 - June 23 Slide Show

Here are some pictures capturing the energy felt at our event here in Los Angeles

Thank you to Andrea O & APALC.

DREAM Act 2009 - June 23 Videos

David, the first Korean American to be drum major in the history of the UCLA marching band, explains why it's important for the DREAM Act to pass this year, and why undocumented Asian youth need to come forward and speak out on this issue




For more videos click here

DREAM ACT Events Nationwide!

Here's something from our friends in D.C. We're still waiting for the facebook pictures.

Editorial
Graduation Dreams
We were caught between exhilaration and despair on Tuesday as we watched more than 500 young people in caps and gowns gather in a park a few steps from the United States Capitol. It was a graduation, but it wasn’t. There were awards, but no diplomas. And while there was talk of bright futures, the speeches were threaded with notes of impatience and defiance and made clear that those hopes were in no way assured.

more:
Graduation Takes Place on Behalf of DREAM Act http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/opinion/24wed2.html