11/29: Rally for the DREAM Act at UNM, Join Phone Blitz Before and After

Please join the Albuquerque DREAMERS in Action; Coalition for Immigration, Race and Social Justice; Mexican Student Association (MexSA), Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC); Raza Graduate Student Association (RGSA) and others at the DREAM Act Rally on Monday, November 29, at Noon in the UNM SUB Atrium to push the US Congress to pass the DREAM Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.

Prior to the rally, students will also hold a phone blitz from 9 AM to noon on campus as well as from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Plaza de Encuentro, 714 4th St SW, in Albuquerque (map). They will call New Mexico senators and representatives to urge to them to support the DREAM Act.

This bill would apply to undocumented students who graduate from US high schools (or obtain a GED), are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. as minors, are between the ages of 12 and 35 and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment. Those meeting the requirements would have an opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency if they complete two years in the military or two years at a four-year institution of higher learning. The legislation would help hard-working, deserving individuals like these.

During the first six years, the immigrant would be granted "conditional" status. After the six year period, an immigrant who meets the conditions would be eligible to apply for legal permanent resident status, which would eventually allow them to become U.S. citizens. During this six year conditional period, immigrants would not be eligible for federal higher education grants such as Pell grants, but they would be able to apply for student loans and work study.

Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi have both said the DREAM Act will be voted on during the lame-duck session in Congress. A vote could come as early as November 29.

For more information, contact gradpeer@unm.edu.