Undocumented, unafraid, and determined to become citizens

Sarah Evans

On Thursday Nov. 18, young undocumented students, members of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition (ADAC), and friends protested in support of the Dream Act outside of the Arizona State Capitol building in Phoenix.Their plan was to send a message to State Senator Russell Pearce, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and Governor Jan Brewer. ADAC emphasized the contributions that they, if made American citizens, could provide for the American economy.

The Dream Act would grant conditional citizenship to immigrants who meet strict requirements. Those requirements include graduation from an American high school, as well as enrolling and completing two years of college or military service.

The Democratic Party still held office in the House of Representatives during the lame-duck session of Congress that happened at the end of November. Many believe that the Dream Act has a chance of passing, after Majority Leader, Harry Reid promised to bring the bill to Senate.

Political Science teacher at MCC, Brian Dille, stated that he thinks the Dream Act might be passed.

“I think it actually has a chance right now because the Democrats are trying to make this into a partisan issue, and. that means if they’re going to do that, they have to do it right now,” Dille said.

The ADAC is still making attempts to show the community what they are worth, and standing up for what they think is right. Danielle Acruz, one of the protesters, spoke at the capitol building about the hardships she and many others have faced as college students trying to create their futures.

“We are not allowed to get scholarships. Some universities have rejected us because of our status. We can’t get jobs, a driver’s license, and we can’t get aid. We are afraid of being deported because this is where we live, and this is where we love,” Acruz stated.

The members of the ADAC and Dream Act supporters consider themselves as regular American people with dreams and ambitions. Francisco Dura, member of the ADAC, stated his reason for protesting.

“We’re dreamers. We want to continue higher education. We’re not criminals,” Dura said.

Members of the ADAC stood in front of a crowd with signs conveying the amounts of money that would come from their careers that could be going towards the American economy.

“We are coming out of the shadows. We are telling people that we are undocumented and we are unafraid. We are just telling Russell Pearce that this is how much we can contribute to this country that we love,” Acruz stated.

Juanita Tarango, student advisor of MCC’s Mecha club, stated that education is important, and should be available to anyone who is an active member of the community.

“It’s sad to see the potential, and the opportunities, and of all this that they could do,” stated Tarango. “I don’t think a lot of people realize what a risk they took. The risk that they took (in coming out to protest) is encouraging. The benefits to the community outweigh the risk,” Tarango said.

The Dream Act had been considered to be rude to the immigrants that received citizenship through the American government, or believe that it is creating an easy route for people who aren’t earning their way.

“The opponents will say (that this is) an amnesty program, but it’s not because these are people who didn’t break the law; their parents did. I see it as a humane solution to a problem,” Dille stated.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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