Mock Graduation Staged for the Plight of the Undocumented Who Dare to DREAM
There were mock graduation ceremonies all over the country today. Many participated to heighten awareness for the millions of undocumented students who are unable to enroll in higher education in the United States due to lack of funds made available because of their status. The Orange County Dream team was apart of the nationwide action. Check out the article below for a full overview on what went on today.
"I still have a dream," said Abraham who only gave his first name. But right now, "We are doctors, teachers and lawyers, living in terror from ICE."
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/students-status-orange-2473069-college-act
Mock graduations highlight plight of illegal immigrants
A ceremony in Orange was one of several mock graduations for illegal immigrant students throughout country.
BY CINDY CARCAMO and JESSICA TERRILL
The Orange County Register
Comments 31| Recommend 1
ORANGE – Aspiring doctors, psychologists and mayors who say they are hindered by their illegal status attended mock graduations throughout the country Tuesday in support of a proposed law that would give them a pathway to residency and better opportunity to succeed in their careers.
About 100 students in caps in gowns – some illegal immigrant college students in Orange County – made up the more than 250 attendees who support the DREAM Act.
The act would allow undocumented students to apply for legal permanent resident status, protect them from deportation and make them eligible for student loans and federal work study programs.
Tuesday's crowd at the Teamsters Local 952 Hall in Orange cheered and others cried when a Santa Ana College student by the name of Abraham gave something of a testimonial in rap-song form.
"I still have a dream," said Abraham who only gave his first name. But right now, "We are doctors, teachers and lawyers, living in terror from ICE."
While the Orange County Dream Act ceremony was one of about a dozen other mock graduations planned throughout the country Tuesday, one of the largest was in Washington, D.C.
"We can't wait any longer," Antonia Rivera, a UCI graduate, said before Tuesday's Washington event. "The DREAM Act may be politics to some people, just a piece of legislation. But it's hope for me; it's hope for life."
Students from Cal State Fullerton, Santa Ana College, UCI and other nearby higher-education institutions wore caps and gowns and signs – some reading "What now?" at the Orange ceremony.
Supporters of the bill have said that students find themselves without jobs after college due to their legal status.
Paulina, a 22-year-old from Santa Ana, said her undocumented status has left her struggling, despite having just graduated magna cum laude two weeks ago from UCI, with degrees in psychology and social behavior.
"It's really bittersweet," said Paulina, who wouldn't give her last name for fear of deportation. "I graduated at the top of my class, yet I really don't know what to do."
Paulina has the references and background to get into most Ivy League schools.
However, a doctorate is out of reach for her, she said, because she can't get the financial backing afforded to students who are in the country legally.
The measure faces strong opposition from critics who say the proposed law would reward illegal behavior.
All local Congress members except Rep. Loretta Sanchez oppose the measure and say they'd vote it down if it were to reach the floor of the House.
The bill would let illegal-immigrant students who finish at least two years of college or military service apply for legal status. Students would need to have lived in the United States for at least five years and have arrived before they were 16.
Supporters say the bill will not likely be introduced again as a stand-alone piece of legislation. Instead, the proposed law will most likely become part of a comprehensive immigration reform package that could be introduced as early as fall of this year.
Contact the writer: 949-553-2906 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com
"I still have a dream," said Abraham who only gave his first name. But right now, "We are doctors, teachers and lawyers, living in terror from ICE."
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/students-status-orange-2473069-college-act
Mock graduations highlight plight of illegal immigrants
A ceremony in Orange was one of several mock graduations for illegal immigrant students throughout country.
BY CINDY CARCAMO and JESSICA TERRILL
The Orange County Register
Comments 31| Recommend 1
ORANGE – Aspiring doctors, psychologists and mayors who say they are hindered by their illegal status attended mock graduations throughout the country Tuesday in support of a proposed law that would give them a pathway to residency and better opportunity to succeed in their careers.
About 100 students in caps in gowns – some illegal immigrant college students in Orange County – made up the more than 250 attendees who support the DREAM Act.
The act would allow undocumented students to apply for legal permanent resident status, protect them from deportation and make them eligible for student loans and federal work study programs.
Tuesday's crowd at the Teamsters Local 952 Hall in Orange cheered and others cried when a Santa Ana College student by the name of Abraham gave something of a testimonial in rap-song form.
"I still have a dream," said Abraham who only gave his first name. But right now, "We are doctors, teachers and lawyers, living in terror from ICE."
While the Orange County Dream Act ceremony was one of about a dozen other mock graduations planned throughout the country Tuesday, one of the largest was in Washington, D.C.
"We can't wait any longer," Antonia Rivera, a UCI graduate, said before Tuesday's Washington event. "The DREAM Act may be politics to some people, just a piece of legislation. But it's hope for me; it's hope for life."
Students from Cal State Fullerton, Santa Ana College, UCI and other nearby higher-education institutions wore caps and gowns and signs – some reading "What now?" at the Orange ceremony.
Supporters of the bill have said that students find themselves without jobs after college due to their legal status.
Paulina, a 22-year-old from Santa Ana, said her undocumented status has left her struggling, despite having just graduated magna cum laude two weeks ago from UCI, with degrees in psychology and social behavior.
"It's really bittersweet," said Paulina, who wouldn't give her last name for fear of deportation. "I graduated at the top of my class, yet I really don't know what to do."
Paulina has the references and background to get into most Ivy League schools.
However, a doctorate is out of reach for her, she said, because she can't get the financial backing afforded to students who are in the country legally.
The measure faces strong opposition from critics who say the proposed law would reward illegal behavior.
All local Congress members except Rep. Loretta Sanchez oppose the measure and say they'd vote it down if it were to reach the floor of the House.
The bill would let illegal-immigrant students who finish at least two years of college or military service apply for legal status. Students would need to have lived in the United States for at least five years and have arrived before they were 16.
Supporters say the bill will not likely be introduced again as a stand-alone piece of legislation. Instead, the proposed law will most likely become part of a comprehensive immigration reform package that could be introduced as early as fall of this year.
Contact the writer: 949-553-2906 or ccarcamo@ocregister.com
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Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
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"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
Civil rights and social justice organizations have come to understand that collective action on a national basis is required to stop child incarceration and challenge the immoral process which perpetuates an unjust justice system. These groups are working under extremely difficult circumstances and many of them with little or no resources. The Gathering is a national movement that creates a coordinated space to 1) fortify relationships between regional groups, 2) support local endeavors and 3) enhance the ongoing organizing of non-violent direct action training. Central to its mission is strengthening our moral environment.
- “a project of tides center” -
"The Gathering" is a project of Tides Center 501c3
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