FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Media Contacts: Juan (407) 602-8675, Flavia de la Fuente (949) 910-6362, media@thedreamiscoming.com
CHALLENGE in Arizona: Four Undocumented Immigrant Student Leaders
Resist Current Immigration Law, Urge Passage of DREAM Act
Tucson, Arizona. May 17th, on the anniversary of landmark civil rights case Brown v. Board of Education, four undocumented student leaders, as well as Arizona native Raul Alcaraz, will challenge immigration law and stage a sit-in at Senator John McCain’s Tucson Office. Lizbeth Mateo of Los Angeles, California; Tania Unzueta of Chicago, Illinois; Mohammad Abdollahi of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Yahaira Carrillo of Kansas City, Missouri will challenge congressional leadership to choose the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) as the standard for immigration reform.
With this challenge to local and federal law, these youth hope to highlight the urgency of legislative action in Congress, and catalyze mass grassroots mobilization to pass the DREAM Act before June 15th.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. What you are doing is so incredibly brave. I pray that the laws will soon change and the DREAM Act will be passed. Please don’t think that you don’t have the support of US citizens. You do! You have my support and my family’s support. I am a teacher and have had so many amazing wonderful undocumented children who have shared their stories with me. It woke me up to a part of America that I didn’t know. I grew up foolishly naively thinking that you just came to America and passed a test and poof, you became a citizen! I have had students who came here through legal channels when they were young and they still can’t get citizenship! I’ve contacted my congressmen. I’ve marched for this, something I never imagined myself doing! I am so proud of each of you. The US needs wonderful young people like you as citizens! Praying that dream happens SOON! God bless!
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My daughter, Hannah, a Tucson resident, and I (visiting from Vermont) supported the students by joining the group gathered outside McCain’s office this afternoon. Such good energy as we chanted and sang for “Education, not deportation…” etc. We stand with these courageous young people and hope their statement will be heard around the country.
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Put pressure on McCain! He is such a liar; flip flopping on Immigration just to get elected. He is an embarrasement to AZ. Let’s get him out and get a democrat or independent instead. Está muy viejo y es muy traicionero. In regards to the dream act and you wonderful young people, a mind is too valuable to be wasted. Adelante muchachos………..
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My love, thoughts and prayers are always with our DREAMers. Pass the DREAM Act Now! Protect our most vital natural resources, our Youth!
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in solidarity we stand with you
thank you for all you are risking and for your strong leadership
we in arizona are blessed to have you to stand with
Si Se Puede
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Thank you for your courage and for your leadership on this! It is really amazing what you are risking for the rest of us.
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Mexico is our neighbor. They help our elderly & sick. Children of undocumented parents should not fear going to school. I’m so proud that we have these brave children. Because of children, as these brave souls, I promise to continue research and education of ALL laws.
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It is incredible that this nation, one that claims to be the best, is so ignorant when it comes to students. They have exploited the parents of undocumented kids who seek a higher education, and now they want to deny them from beind educated. Yet, once these potential students become professionals, they will not deny their services to any one regardless of ethnicity or political views.
Do you really want to deport people who have graduated on the top of their classes, have gone to college, some that have even attained degrees? Who will this benefit? America, you’re too good at taking advantage of people, take advantage of these kids by allowing them to stay and work here. I know that they all have excellent stories and achievements under their belt, but you don’t care about this. America, word of advice, consider this an investment. Get your head out of you a*** already.
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