Dream Act Action Alert

-Immigration Reform Action Alert

There is a chance of passing an important piece of immigration reform legislation during the lame duck session. I'm writing with a request for you to make a few phone calls THIS WEEK (Today if possible) and to forward this link to people you know who would also respond -- especially those in other states and in key legislative districts here in MN (see details below).

I am motivated to make these calls and send out this email because the word is that opponents of this legislation typically out-call supporters 100 to 1 in spite of the fact that polls show 70% of Americans favor this reform.

Here is the scoop ---- A vote on the DREAM Act may take place in Congress this week or next – the week of November 29 or December 6th!  The DREAM Act would make a huge difference in the lives of undocumented youth who were brought to the US by their parents and now, because they lack legal status, face obstacles to their future. By removing such barriers, the DREAM Act will allow immigrant students to pursue their dreams through college education or military services. (For more details see the following links:)

Ruben Rosario: Children of illegal immigrants deserve chance to live their dream
Immigration Policy Center

So --- here is what to do....

Call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-225-3121, and ask for your Senators and Representative, and urge them to vote for and publicly support the DREAM Act. Tell them, "I support the DREAM Act.  This is a nonpartisan bill that does the right thing for undocumented students and will strengthen America."    (S 729 in the Senate or HR 1751 in the House.)

See http://www.dreamactivist.org/ for a list of Senators and Representatives who are specifically being targeted.

A few details about the Minnesota delegation:

1) SENATE -- Both MN Senators Klobuchar and Franken are cosponsors of the DREAM Act. Call them to say "Thank You." Our calls 'strengthen their resolve.' They are also members of the Judiciary Committee where they can push to bring the bill up for consideration and a vote. Especially encourage their efforts to persuade their Republican colleagues. We probably need 6 Republicans in the Senate for the DREAM Act to happen.  Please forward this alert to any of your friends and family who live in other states to contact their Senators as well.


2) HOUSE

Tim Walz, 1st Congressional District - needs encouragement, there is concern per his vote
John Kline, 2nd Congressional District – not a likely supporter, but try…
TARGET - Erik Paulsen, 3rd Congressional District, Republican, supports TPS Liberians; opposed
DREAM in Minnesota legislature; business conservative who appears non-ideological
Betty McCollum, 4th Congressional District – will probably vote for
Keith Ellison, 3rd Congressional District, only MN house member who is a co-sponsor
Michele Bachmann, 6th Congressional District – not likely to be a supporter, but try…
Collin Peterson, 7th Congressional District, needs encouragement, there is concern per his vote
James Oberstar, 8th Congressional District, needs encouragement but a likely supporter


For more details see following document put together by Church World Service.

Thanks!!
Cathy Velasquez Eberhart
cathy@vfamilycoffee.com

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DREAM ACT – ITS TIME HAS COME! (two pages, revised 11-24-10)
“This is our last opportunity to pass the DREAM Act for the next two years. Due to the anti-immigrant leadership
coming into the House Judiciary Committee, it will be nearly impossible to enact the DREAM Act or anything
positive for the immigrant community after this opportunity. It is more important than ever for our voices to be heard
loud, clear and strong that our Senators and Representatives MUST vote YES to the DREAM Act. “ - Jen Smyers,
Associate Director, Immigration & Refugee Policy, Church World Service

TAKE ACTION! DREAM Act Call-In
Call 866-945-0566. You will hear a brief message, then will be connected to the Capitol switchboard operator
(direct number to switchboard is: 202-224-3121). Ask to be transferred to your Senators and Representative. You
will be transferred to the receptionist for each office.

Urge your Senators and Representative to vote for the DREAM Act so that undocumented high school graduates
brought to the United States as children can realize their potential through higher education and service to the
United States. This will benefit all Americans.

WE ARE URGING PEOPLE TO CALL NOT ONCE, BUT MANY TIMES. Do all you can to create a climate of
YES for the DREAMers!

BILL NUMBERS: In the Senate - S. 729. In the House of Representatives - H.R. 1751

MINNESOTA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
(all can be called through the capitol switchboard - : 202-224-3121)

Senate: Senator Klobuchar and Senator Franken are cosponsors of DREAM (there are currently a total of 40 cosponsors
in the Senate). Our calls can 'strengthen their resolve.' It is important to ask them to reach out to their
Republican colleagues. We probably need 6 Senate Republicans for the DREAM Act to pass in the Senate. It is
important to THANK our Senators for their support.

House: At this time there are 134 House co-sponsors. Calls to all are needed - use the above telephone number.
Tim Walz, 1st Congressional District - needs encouragement, there is concern per his vote
John Kline, 2nd Congressional District – not a likely supporter, but try…
TARGET - Erik Paulsen, 3rd Congressional District, Republican, supports TPS Liberians; opposed
DREAM in Minnesota legislature; business conservative who appears non-ideological
Betty McCollum, 4th Congressional District – will probably vote for
Keith Ellison, 3rd Congressional District, only MN house member who is a co-sponsor
Michele Bachmann, 6th Congressional District – not likely to be a supporter, but try…
Collin Peterson, 7th Congressional District, needs encouragement, there is concern per his vote
James Oberstar, 8th Congressional District, needs encouragement but a likely supporter


DREAM ACT BACKGROUND

DREAM MEANS – “Development Relief Education Alien Minors”

THE DREAM ACT IS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY AND SECURITY
Research has shown that providing a legal status for young people who have a proven record of success in the United
States would be a boon to the economy and the U.S. workforce. The U.S. military also needs the DREAM Act.
Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, Bill Carr, stated that the law would be "good for
readiness" and would help to recruit "cream of the crop" students. The DREAM Act is part of the Department of
Defense's 2010-2012 Strategic Plan to assist the military in its recruiting efforts. (From Immigration Policy Center).

THE DREAM ACT IS NOT AN AMNESTY
If they maintain good moral character and earn a high school diploma, after 6 years of conditional permanent
residency, they could apply for lawful permanent residency (LPR). As stipulated in current law, persons who
maintain LPR status for five years can apply for U.S. citizenship.

WHAT THE DREAM ACT WILL DO
If passed, the DREAM Act will create a pathway to lawful permanent residence and eventual earned citizenship for
thousands of upstanding high school graduates who were brought to the United States as children years ago. These
young people have grown up in our communities and include honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, and
aspiring teachers, doctors, and entrepreneurs.

WHAT THE DREAM ACT WILL FIX
There is currently no way for undocumented children to pursue legal status in the United States. The DREAM Act
would allow undocumented children who entered the United States when 16 years or younger and who have lived in
the United States for five years to apply for conditional permanent residency.

WHO THE DREAM ACT WILL HELP
Each year, approximately 65,000 capable high school graduates are prevented from attending college due to their
undocumented immigration status. Many of these children have lived in the United States since childhood mastering
English and dreaming of contributing to the future of America. In many cases they do not remember their parent’s
home country and consider the United States their home; they are culturally American. Through no fault of their
own, they are undocumented and cannot attend most colleges or find any legal employment.

READ MORE? Check out this article -
http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/11/amnesty_and_decency

The second to last paragraph of this article: “The DREAM Act sends the message that although American immigration
law in effect tries to make water run uphill, we are not monsters. It says that we will not hobble the prospects of young
people raised and schooled in America just because we were so perverse to demand that their parents wait in a line before
a door that never opens. It signals that we were once a nation of immigrants, and even if we have become too fearful and
small to properly honour that noble legacy, America in some small way remains a land of opportunity.”

-----

Rev.John Guttermann,
Church World Service,
MN Field Director,
Comprehensive Immigration Reform
122 W. Franklin Ave, Suite 214,
Minneapolis, MN 55404

Link for resources:
www.supportimmigrationreform.org

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations.