DREAM Act: Student activist makes it personal
by Gustavo Martínez on Nov 18 2009 Posted in Social justice in education
Student activist María Marroquín is deeply involved in the fight for getting the DREAM Act approved. This is a vital issue for her, an undocumented student majoring in political science.
She was instrumental in Senator Arlen Specter's public support of the 2009 DREAM Act, a bill that has yet to make its way down to the floor for a vote.
Marroquín is part of DREAM Activist, a network of people working to make this bill a reality, which will help many immigrants who came to this country when they were still children.
An approval would give thousands of undocumented immigrants attending U.S. high schools the chance to enroll in college or enlist in the U.S. Army.
Advocates think that every year some 60,000 undocumented immigrant students graduate from high school. Most of those graduates cannot further their studies because colleges and universities require Social Security numbers and most fellowships and scholarships have citizenship or residency as a requisite.
Also, undocumented immigrants are subject to out-of-state tuition rates.
There are currently two bills, one in the Senate and one in Congress, but the DREAM Act has four basic requirements:
-
You entered the country before the age of 16;
-
You graduated high school or obtained a GED;
-
You have good moral character (no criminal record); and
-
You have at least five years of continuous presence in the US.
As Marroquín says in her video, DREAM Act beneficiaries would have a positive impact on society as a whole.
Recently the Immigration Policy Center issued their “Back to the Future: The Impact of Legalization Then and Now” report in which, among many other things, they highlight the importance of the DREAM Act.
“…legalization allows undocumented children to become students with a future who can attend college under the same rules as other children. The “DREAM Act” — which would allow undocumented kids who were brought to the United States by their parents to legalize their status and go to college — must be part of comprehensive immigration reform. Third, U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants would not have to fear for their parents’ deportation and then have to choose between family and country.”
Philadelphia is no exception to this. According to the District's most recent Language Survey, there are 13,500 students who were born abroad. It is likely that a great number of them won't be able to further their education after they graduate.
If you are one of those students or know of someone in this situation, it would be good to learn more about this legislation and how you can get involved. You can contact DREAM Activist for more info.
This place is a wonderfully vibrant school full of understanding and drive.
How should the District make up for the 
Comments (8)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 16:01.
KEEP FIGHTING. it makes a different. i will join in. Dream Act should pass.
Submitted by Erika Owens on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 16:50.
There's a post over on Young Philly Politics about the DREAM Act as well. And as Helen notes, the Notebook took up this issue last fall.
Hopefully we'll get some more movement on this legislation.
Submitted by Helen Gym on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 22:48.
The School District should sign onto the act. In other cities, school districts have been vocal champions for their students. Great post. Awesome video. Thanks for reporting on this important issue!
Submitted by Sonai Perez (not verified) on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 16:57.
The bureaucracy behind the Dream Act will stump our future's growth. We invest into their education until they graduate high school and most of these students have the potential to take care of us, to teach our children and to develop into brilliant contributors to society. Let them continue on to college and fulfill their dreams.
Submitted by Gustavo Martínez on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 16:57.
Helen, I guess you just give me an idea to run by Paul. I mean, it would be good to have the District signing and that could happen with the boost of our community leaders, no?
Submitted by Gustavo Martínez on Thu, 11/19/2009 - 17:05.
Sonai, if we don't get a comprehensive immigration reform next year the DREAM Act could be something to wish and fight for and thus grow the base and hope of having people, US Citizens in the whole extent of the expression, that actually understand how flawed the current system is and what needs to be done to change it.
Submitted by Maria (not verified) on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 15:49.
It would be great to have the School District sign a resolution in support of the DREAM Act. As a matter of fact, the Milwaukee Public School Board of Directors just passed a resolution in support of the act yesterday ( http://www.dreamactivist.org/press-statement-milwaukee-public-school-boa... )
Philadelphia City Council also passed a resolution in support of the DREAM Act and the School District should definitely consider doing the same.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 11/22/2009 - 13:50.
Hey all you Undocumented people...hold your heads high and keep up the faith! the DREAM Act will pass along with CIR! hold on to your faith people!
Post new comment