Six undocumented youth travel from across America to ask Senator John McCain to co-sponsor the DREAM Act so that they can serve and protect this nation.
November 17th, Washington D.C. – Today six undocumented youth arrive at their destination in Capitol Hill, the office of Senator John McCain, to once again ask for his support of the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act is a bi-partisan piece of legislation that would grant conditional status to undocumented youth who complete at least a 2-year college degree or enlist to serve in the military. The bill currently has 40 co-sponsors in the Senate, including Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), and 133 in the House.
One of the youth, Guillermo says he came to McCain’s office today because he looks up to the Senator: “Not too long ago, Senator McCain was a champion, he supported and rallied for us. I look up to him as a war hero and are only asking from him to give me the same opportunity he had to serve and protect this nation, I want to be Marine.”
"We risk it all because young people like ourselves love this country and can no longer wait on the side lines, we want to serve our communities." says Gaby Pacheco, a DREAM Act student who participated in the Trail of Dreams a 1,500 mile walk from Miami to Washington D.C. to show the face of immigrants across the nation.
“I am queer, I am undocumented and I am unafraid. Today I am in our nation’s capitol asking Senator John McCain to take a stance in support of the DREAM Act, to support those of us who want to be educators or those of us who are willing to die for this nation.” Jorge Gutierrez is one of the five main characters in the documentary film “Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth.” The film has been viewed by over 100,000 people in all 50 states. It chronicles the challenges undocumented youth face as they turn 18 without legal status. www.papersthemovie.com
In recent days an effort has been made by many Republicans to push for the only immigration legislation which has a chance of passing during the lame duck session. Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart recently stated: “We should stop hampering these deserving students’ educational opportunities due to the decisions of their parents and allow a vote on the American DREAM Act.”
In a September letter to Senator McCain Secretary of Defense Robert Gates wrote: “I support this initiative and appreciate your continued efforts to bring about this important policy change.” With the same hope, these students now approach Senator McCain asking for his support for the passage of this bill this session.
The six students will be arriving at McCain’s office around noon and plan to stay until Senator John McCain puts forth his support of the DREAM Act.
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