Federal Dream Act freedom ride to nations capitol

­ Students prepare for a long trip to the U.S. Congress.

by Jonathan Farrell

Fifteen California students  embarked on a 5,000-mile “Dream Freedom Ride” to Washington D.C. on July 12, to demand the passage of the Federal Dream Act (H.R.1751/S.729). At their arrival, they would join hundreds of other students from around the nation to lead three days of national action from July 19th-21st to pressure the U.S. Senate to move the Dream Act forward.

“The Dream Act is a bill of proposed legislation by the Senate,” said Michelle Romero, coordinator of the Bay Area Dream Act Coalition.

This bill is designed to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. If passed this will permit States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents. And, who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes.  

“This caravan ride across 15 states is to call attention to the Federal Dream Act as a stand-alone bill,” Romero said to El Reportero.

California Senator Diane Feinstein is currently a co-sponsor of the bill. But Senator Feinstein has not actually taken steps to ensure its passage this year, leaving hard-working students with nothing but broken promises,” Romero noted.

A rally was held outside Senator Feinstein’s San Francisco office on July 20. Yet the Dream Act Freedom Ride to Washington DC is to remind Feinstein of the millions of dreams that she is in effect denying by her inaction on the Dream Act, noted Romero. 

Bay Area youth delivered dozens of pillowcases to her offi ce, symbolizing the dreams being ignored.

These pillowcases will display messages in support of the dream act and share personal stories about dreams that are being denied. “If passed this bill would help resolve issues of legal documentation for many and establish permanent residency,” said Romero.  

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