FREE BERNARD!

Please watch this compelling, short film on the struggle that faces the Reading, OH community: FREE BERNARD PASTOR!

Bernard Pastor

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The National Immigration Law Center's DREAM WEEKLY UPDATE ________________ December 15, 2010

Daily DREAMer Lost in the barrage of media coverage about the DREAM Act are the hopes, dreams, and stories of individual DREAMers. This week we’re bringing you the real life stories of young Americans-at-heart who will have their fates decided for them by the Senate before Christmas. Bernard Pastor, a DREAMer in Ohio who was brought to the States when he was three, currently is in immigration detention and facing deportation.  Bernard graduated near the top of his high school class and was a standout athlete, the soccer team’s star.  He dreams of attending college and someday being a pastor.  His former classmates and others he’s touched in his community are in shock at his having been detained and are rallying to support him. Part of Bernard’s story is told in this very moving 5-minute video posted on Vimeo.  And, in a 3-minute YouTube video, you can hear Bernard’s sister reading a letter he wrote from immigration detention. After watching the videos, please call Ohio Senator George Voinovich at 866-957-2612 and urge him to realize the DREAM for Bernard and other Buckeye DREAMers such as him. After you’ve called Senator Voinovich, dial 866-957-2612 to tell the senators from your own state that you expect them to support the DREAM Act as well. Together, we can make these DREAMs a reality!

To subscribe to our DREAM Act, Health Care, Immigration Enforcement, Public Benefits, or Workers' Rights lists, complete and submit this form. National Immigration Law Center 3435 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 2850, Los Angeles, CA 90010 | www.nilc.org

The DREAM Will Not Die.

This weekend I was among several organizers from Ohio and Michigan to present our progress and look to the future for the DREAM Act in Ohio. As a workshop presenter at the Great Lakes Colleges Association's annual Students of Color Leadership Conference, several things struck me as I spoke with the group of 50 students at Kenyon College.

The DREAM Act will pass because we will make it happen.

It's no surprise that the DREAM Activists have been criticized for their often irreverent organizing tactics. As a youth-led movement, they are overlooked or not taken seriously by the more established, albeit well-intentioned organizations and members of the immigrants' rights movement. However, the DREAM Activist approach is also one which carries a certain clarity, passion, and determination not present in other approaches to immigrants' rights.

The story of the DREAM Act movement is so compelling in part because it has not been static.

Unlike other recent movements, the DREAM Act movement has grown and thrived because of its commitment to diversity. To be clear, this is not a movement based solely on racial and ethnic diversity. The DREAM Act movement has sought out and leveraged many social justice intersections. It has always welcomed allies, and most importantly DREAM Activists understand the need to reach back and train, grow, and develop younger members of the movement. There is certainly recognition that in order for the movement to sustain itself, leadership must always adapt.

Ohio will play a key role in the story because of the Speaker-elect of the US House, John Boehner.

Speaking with Ohio DREAM Activists who have come from other states, their first discontent is that Ohio has been largely uncharted territory for organized DREAMers. Many come from places like Chicago or California, where a DREAM network has been in place for years. Just as Ohio is a key bellwether in Presidential elections, Ohio will be a focal point for the DREAM Act as well. Many in the immigrants' rights community have wondered how Mr. Boehner will handle the topic of immigration in the House. Although he voted against the Sensenbrenner Bill, he has been far from moderate on the issue. His district is also home to Sheriff Richard Jones.

We will continue organizing, always challenging the systems of oppression. We'll need your help to do it.

Finding A Way To "Yes"

Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) calls for Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General investigation of US Citizenship and Immigration Services adjudication reform efforts. AILA President David Leopold responds. Read his response in full on the AILA Leadership Blog.

Is Big Brother "Friending" You?

AILA Leadership Blog

Someone once told me that you should never post anything online you don’t want to read on the front page of the newspaper. 

Amnesty for Lou Dobbs?

How dysfunctional is the US immigration system?  It is so dysfunctional that even Lou Dobbs, a man who has built his brand spewing hate speech at immigrants, can’t even follow it. Read the AILA Leadership Blog

U.S. Congressman Gutierrez to Rally Latin@s in Cleveland

Just got word that U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez will join Congresswoman Marcia Fudge in Cleveland this coming Monday - October 11, 2010 starting at 4:00 at Mt. Sanai Church - 7510 Woodland Avenue. As you know Gutierrez has been one of our national champions in Congress leading the fight for Immigration Reform and the Dream Act.

The event is sponsored by HOLA, the Hispanic Alliance, Cleveland NAACP, Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, Cleveland Jobs with Justice, Urban League of Greater Cleveland, Northshore AFL-CIO, Young Latino Network, CoalItion of HIspanic Issues in Progress and Progress Ohio.

There are many reasons why this event is important. First of all, just having a national Latino leader come to Cleveland is big and we all know he has been leading the immigration reform movement nationally. Also, there is a great Black/Latin@ coalition working together for a common purpose here. And last but just as important -- it is critical that we rally and get people excited and COMMITTED to VOTE on NOVEMBER 2!!!