Eight UC students have committed to going hungry until California Sen. Dianne Feinstein pushes the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act out of the Judiciary Committee to a vote in the Senate. I joined the students on Wednesday and began my fast for the DREAM.
I write to ask you for your support, inform you about the issue, and request that you take a few small steps to push the bill forward. The DREAM Act will allow some undocumented students in the United States conditional citizenship via military service or a college degree.
Without the DREAM Act, students who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives and who have proven themselves to be dedicated, hardworking individuals will remain second-class citizens in what may be the only country they truly know.
These students are ineligible for financial aid and, without Social Security numbers, forbidden to work. Many take time off to work dangerous or dubious jobs to save money for another term of school. Furthermore, those who actually finish college are forced out of the legitimate workforce because of their immigration status.
Studies have shown that these taxpaying individuals already contribute positively to the economy and would only benefit the U.S. financial situation by being granted the opportunity to receive an education and contribute to the work force.
Additionally, all students pay fees ““ the close to 200 undocumented students at UCLA contribute 33 percent of their fees toward financial aid like every other student. Still, their legalization status says that while they contribute to the pot of financial aid, they are not allowed to take from it.
The current climate in states such as Arizona has political figures looking for comprehensive immigration reform solutions. But no bill except the DREAM Act has even a chance at passing this year ““ no other piece of legislation has the same kind of bipartisan support.
Frankly, the DREAM Act is less about immigration reform and more about recognizing what is right and fair. The DREAM Act is fundamentally about providing access to education for all people ““ one of the prominent civil rights issues of our time.
For 10 years now, students have organized, lobbied and demonstrated to push the bill forward. This year, the DREAM Act has gained more attention than ever and stands with more co-sponsors in the House and Senate than ever ““ all because of the hard work of students.
Groups such as IDEAS at UCLA and the Bruin Democrats have championed the bill on our campus. I’ve said before that student government can change lives ““ and the DREAM will change millions of students’ lives. Student government exists to promote student issues on campus and in Congress; supporting the DREAM Act is fundamental to the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s work.
I hope to use my voice to potentially speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Undocumented students can’t vote. So while the DREAM Act represents one of the most influential and important pieces of legislation to affect their lives, they can’t even participate in the political process to see it passed.
That’s why allies like you and me must not just stand in solidarity, but also move in support of what we know to be right. The same kind of injustices undocumented students face represents the kinds of blockades underrepresented communities have faced for years. A win for one of our communities is a success for us all.
Please tell your friends about the issue, visit us, and call Feinstein’s office at 310-914-7300. Thank her for her support so far but urge her to champion the DREAM Act and push it from the Judiciary Committee to the Senate for a vote. Each year, 28,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in California alone. It is time that their DREAMs be realized.
Hill is UCLA’s undergraduate student government president. For more information, contact Ernesto Zumaya at 323-594-7107 or at
bruinzumaya86@gmail.com. For more information on the DREAM Act, visit thedreamiscoming.com.