Dreaming for "Papers"

Graham Street Productions in partnership with Film Action Oregon produced a documentary, Papers, which explores the lives of undocumented students. Papers gives students the opportunity to tell their stories and their struggle through the applications processes to higher education institutions.

A powerful quote from the movie shows immigrant youth from various ethnic backgrounds saying,
"I would tell you the story myself, if I could. But, if I do, I risk being arrested, detained and deported. To a country I cant even remember."

Director of Papers and a student from the film, Walter Lara, recently appeared on CNN with Rick Sanchez to talk about the film and the purpose of it. It is a sad fact that every year 65,000 undocumnted students graduate from High School without a future.

Let's work together to change their futures. Contact your representatives and senators and let them know how vital the DREAM Act is for our youth. Today they are our future. Tomorrow, they are our hope.

Puerto Rican Governor Threatens Citizens

When Puerto Rican Governor announced his plan to lay off 17,000 governtment workers in following weeks, thousands of angry citizens organized marches and demonstrations against the plan. Fortuño argues that the plan is necessary in order to avoid major economic set backs faced with previous administrations. Puerto Rico struggles with a $3.2 billion deficit and has a 15 percent unemployment rate. His plan would eventually lay off 30,000 government workers.

Fortuño threatened to charge demonstrators and citizens planning to participate in the Oct. 15 demonstration as committing acts of terrorism. Around 20,000 people are expected at the march tomorrow and many unions have called for a general strike. This threat came after Victor Rodríguez, head of the Truckers Front, announced that truckers would "freeze" airports and ports. Interfering with international trade is an act of terrorism, Fortuño said. The truckers can only "not work," but if they use their trucks to block entrances to ports and airports, it would be a crime of terrorism.

"Calling individuals who are exercising their right to protest terrorists is dangerous in a democracy, and I am very worried about the turn of events," American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director William Ramírez said. "These are public servants."

A petition to Congress has been drafted and is available to be signed at http://action.seiu.org/page/s/PRcivilrights.

Second Hispanic American to Lead Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice

Last week, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Thomas Perez to be the Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice. Perez is a leading advocate for civil rights issues, including immigration, discrimination, and health care. He was confirmed by a vote of 72-22.

According to a Senate Democratic Communications press release, "Thomas Perez brings a wealth of experience to his new position as Assistant Attorney General of the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice...I applaud President Obama’s appointment of Secretary Perez and look forward to adding his voice and leadership to the Department of Justice," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.

Perez, a Dominican descendant, chaired the interagency Worker Exploitation Task Force, served as Special Counsel to Senator Edward Kennedy, and as the Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services. After graduating from Brown University, Harvard Law School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Perez has served his entire career in Public Service.

We congratulate President Obama for his wise choice of public servant.

Hispanic College Fund holds the 16th Annual Scholarship Awards Gala

The Hispanic College Fund (HCF) will host the 16th Annual Scholarship Awards Gala on Friday, October 30, 2009 at the JW Marriot hotel in Washington, D.C. Scholarships awarded are need-and-merit-based for students who work "with extraordinary drive, talent, and maturity," the Fund's website states.

The event is the Hispanic College Fund's premier function to recognize hard working students, devoted sponsors, and great Hispanic achievement. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased online.

For more information contact Vicmar Paz Morales at 202-296-5400 or via e-mail at vicmar@hispanicfund.org.

Tickets and instructions can be found at http://hcfgala.eventbrite.com/

Support the DREAM Act 2009

The "Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2009" or the DREAM Act of 2009, a bill reintroduced this year by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The bill, if passed, would allow states to grant residency status to undocumented students who wish to further their education in a collegiate institute.


"This legislation has the potential to change the lives of many young people in an extraordinary and positive way and is an investment in America's future," Sen. Patrick Leahy said in a senatorial floor speech.


The DREAM Act was proposed to many sessions of congress in the past; the bill died in some cases and it was voted down on others. In 2007, it was voted down with 54 votes in favor, 44 against, and 4 not voting. At least 3/5 of the senate votes were required.

The DREAM Act calls for the removal of a deportation order on any undocumented student and the granting of a permanent resident status. Applicants must have entered the United States before their 16 birthday, lived in the country for at least five years and be under the age of 35 at the time of the bill's enactment. In order to qualify, applicants must have obtained a high school diploma or be accepted into college or university. 

National law does not ban undocumented students from attending a college/university, but these students face problems during the admissions and financial aid process. For all the students, their situation is not something they chose. Brought to this country by their parents, they do not have any control over their immigration status. Many undocumented students do not identify with their native country anymore, they speak fluent english and have fully intergrated into the American culture.

The DREAM Act has spurred a wave of unity and activism by undocumented students. These students have organized events to protest and support the legislation. Undocumented students developed websites like DREAMActivist.org and DREAMAct2009.com to raise awareness, funds, and signatures for the DREAM Act 2009 petition. The DREAMActivist.org website is run completely by undocumented students.

The websites gather stories from other students who visit the website and compile them to demonstrate that the students' circumstances are not their fault.

For more information, visit the DREAM Act links to get involved.

First blog, first post

Hi, my name is Alejandro, this is my new blog!
With new opportunities comes great possibilities, so I hope to encounter my own with this blog. Thank you for taking your time to read it, hopefull you will find it informative and entertaining.
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