DREAM-ing of Immigration Reform

Apr 27

Episode

DREAM-ing of Immigration Reform

Websites and social media offer networks of support for undocumented or illegal immigrants in the U.S.

View the story "DREAM-ing of Immigration Reform" on StorifyDREAM-ing of Immigration ReformWebsites and social media offer networks of support for undocumented or illegal immigrants in the U.S.Storified by The Stream · Wed, Oct 26 2011 21:59:45First introduced to U.S. Congress in 2001, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act - or DREAM Act - is a bill that would provide residency for illegal immigrants of good moral character who graduate from U.S. high schools and have been in the country for at least five years. Last December, DREAM Act failed once again to pass in the U.S. Senate.California Dream Actrabiknows.comA video from U.S. President Barack Obama's YouTube channel explains the DREAM Act:Time to Pass the DREAM ActBarackObamadotcomWebsites and social media networks are becoming a resource for support for undocumented or illegal immigrants in the U.S. who are under threat of deportation.Social media platforms provide the means by which these youths, who call themselves Dreamers, can find each other without travelling or exposing their status. They appeal to supporters nationwide and petition en masse for extensions on deportation dates. They help garner the attention of politicians, lawyers and advocacy groups. And they get Dreamers’ stories out into the public sphere when the attention of the mass media is elsewhere.mashable.comOne such site, TheDREAMIsComing.com, features an emotional interview with Georgina Perez, an undocumented student activist in Georgia.Georgina Perez, Georgia DreamersUndocumented & Unafraid: Do Not Comly with the BAN! My name is Georgina Perez and I am undocumented. I was brought to this country when I was three years old. My mother is a courageous woman who left everything and everyone she knew behind in order to allow her child the opportunity for a better life. She has always taught me that education was the key to success. I am currently twenty-one years old and in 2001 I was brought to Georgia. I was immediately made aware that I was diff... Another website is DREAMActivist.org. Earlier this month, one of the founders of the site was sent a notice to appear for removal proceedings.George Washington University law student Prerna Lal is also a staunch critic of anti-immigrant policies. Her story is documented on the DREAMActivist.org blog:DREAMActivist.org | Blog | DHS Places Founder of DreamActivist in Removal ProceedingsLast week, President Obama told us on Univision that his administration was not targeting DREAM Act-eligible students for deportation. That very same day, the Department of Homeland Security sent Prerna Lal – one of our founders – a Notice to Appear for removal proceedings. When Prerna decided to enroll one of the best law schools in the country (George Washington University), she didn’t know that she would face the trial of her life barely into her second year. For those of you who don’t kn... prernalal.comMaybe she’s too educated for America. Too educated for the DREAM Act?dreamactivist.orgLal's reaction to the proceedings:So the whole idea of trying to deport me is complete waste of time and money. Of course, they can just make my life really difficult with court hearings upon court hearings all the way across the country, which they are trying to do. It ends up looking like political prosecution, which is why I am more amused than afraid. blogs.sfweekly.comIn response to the DREAMActivist.org blog post, an anti-DREAM Act commenter, Dawangprod, wrote:Go back to your own country and make IT better so the rest of you illegals can stay there.dreamactivist.orgCommenter jerseygirl writes:Hey we stopped the Dream Act didn't we? We will NEVER give up. You can bet on that. If you are so smart, why are you in removal proceedings?dreamactivist.orgSome opponents of the bill believe the DREAM Act will give amnesty to illegal immigrants with criminal records.Amnesty In Disguise: Stop The DREAM ActGOPTrustVia Twitter:Tell @BarackObama change takes courage! Its time to stop deportations! http://bit.ly/eRUxz2 @ri4a #CIR #UAFA #DreamAct #immigration #maddowlorion#RealTalk: Assimilation is a thing of the past. #DREAMers are here integrated & ready to give back. #DreamAct #immigration #educationrudyrgReal #patriots salut those who enlist to defend the nation they love the most. Why not let #DREAMers enlist too? #DreamAct #immigrationrudyrgWe have reached 500 "likes" on our FB page. Thank you #Dreamers and #Supporters for www.facebook.com/DIReality #dreamact #ThankYouDIRealityHundreds rally for Illinois #DREAMAct to help undocumented college students. http://bit.ly/hfETG1 #immigration #immigrationreformSistersofMercyprofile.ak.fbcdn.netMany DREAM Act supporters have been criticising Obama's slowness in enacting immigration reform. "@HernandezJuan: Obama, What happened to "I will overhaul immigration system 1st year"?" What happened to "immediately passing the DREAMAct?DeftbetaDemand President Obama to halt #Dreamers #deportations action event #dreamact http://on.fb.me/eFpXfMOC_DREAMTeamObama's approval rating among Hispanics is down to 54% from a high of 87% on a recent Gallup poll. No surprise there. lol #karoli #DreamActSundevilSalDo you know of any other undocumented immigrants who are chronicling their struggle to fight deportation online? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter.

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