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08 May 0 Comment

Immigration Reform from the Ground Up: A Filmmaker’s Perspective

When I embarked on this journey over four years ago, I never thought I would witness what is happening in the country today: Congress is seriously debating passage of a bill that would overhaul our dysfunctional immigration system. What’s more, after several failed attempts in the past couple of decades, it looks as though the legislation has a real shot at becoming law. As a filmmaker and a first generation Hispanic American, I had only one thought in mind when I started directing DREAM: An American Story and that thought was: “I need to help the Hispanic American community in this nat


05 Nov 0 Comment

Why Passing the DREAM Act Would Benefit the Economy

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding passage of the DREAM Act. Many arguments have been made from both sides of the political spectrum regarding how the United States should deal with the issue of immigration. But aside from the political and social consequences of implementing legislation that would offer a select group of immigrants the opportunity to gain a path to citizenship, the DREAM act would create several economic opportunities for the country by providing more taxable income, saving taxpayer money and increasing revenue for higher learning organizations. Here’s how…


18 Oct 0 Comment

On November 6th, Vote for Question 4!

Check out the video we produced, along with Casa de Maryland and Educating Maryland Kids, in support of the Maryland Dream Act. sampanscreenprint.com/pdl/ If you live in Maryland, remember to Vote for Question 4 on November 6! Enjoy the video… The Dream Team#dokefpecaa{display:none;visibility:hidden;}


17 Oct 0 Comment

Romney and Obama on Immigration – Transcripts from Presidential Debate

WHO GAVE LORRAINE THE BEST ANSWER? QUESTION: Mr. Romney, what do you plan on doing with immigrants without their green cards that are currently living here as productive members of society? reddiamond.com/lp/lupin/ ROMNEY: Thank you. Lorraine? Did I get that right? Good. Thank you for your question. And let me step back and tell you what I would like to do with our immigration policy broadly and include an answer to your question. But first of all, this is a nation of immigrants. We welcome people coming to this country as immigrants. My dad was born in Mexico of American parents;


31 Jul 0 Comment

No Papers, No Fear: Undocubus Immigration Activists Take Freedom Ride

The Undocubus is on its way from Arizona to North Carolina, is the National Democratic Convention ready? [caption id="attachment_1314" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Last week the Undocubus began its cross-country tour from Phoenix, Arizona to North Carolina — just in time for the Democratic National Convention on September 3."][/caption] Undocubus to Roll From Arizona to DNC Convention. Throughout American history, whether or not those who had the most to lose were involved, it seems like everyone has an opinion on immigration and the consequences of action, or inaction and re


24 Jul 0 Comment

Undocumented Activists Follow LGBT Tactics

Great piece on how the DREAM movement has brought together different advocacy tactics. [caption id="attachment_1303" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="On hand to exhort the undocumented youths on their walk across the nation is Filipino native Jose Antonio Vargas, a former Washington Post journalist who came out as an undocumented immigrant in 2010."][/caption] On a lovely spring day, Nicholas Gonzalez gathered on the University of California (Berkeley) plaza with four other activists before embarking on their 3,000-mile, eight-month walk across the country to increase awareness a


15 Jun 0 Comment

“Deferred Action” for DREAM Act – Eligible Youth Announced by President Obama

I didn't think this week could get any better! http://eosdesigns.com/amanda/ With barely any time to catch my breath, and barely any time to digest the joy I felt after seeing yesterday's TIME magazine cover, my eyes blinked in disbelief earlier today, as I read Janet Napolitano's announcement on "deferred action" and later watched as President Obama addressed the nation from the White House Rose Garden and announced the new policy. But what does "deferred action" actually mean for undocumented youth? The Center for American Progress' Immigration Team published this explanatory b


14 Jun 0 Comment

WHOA!! Check out this month’s TIME magazine cover story and pic!

I don't even know what to say...except to tell you that I interviewed Jose Antonio Vargas for the documentary...and he was a GREAT interview! how can i get money quick And since a picture is worth a thousand words, consider this part and parcel of my 1,045 word essay:


21 Oct 0 Comment

Pennsylvania DREAMers Making a Difference

A Daily Pennsylvanian article reports on the march for immigrant rights, joined by activists from the DreamActivist Pa. chapter, that took place in Philadelphia yesterday. From the article: "Rep. Tony Payton (D-Phila.) of the 179th Legislative District who introduced the Pennsylvania DREAM Act — which would offer undocumented high-school graduates in-state tuition for Pennsylvania state colleges under specific conditions — also made an appearance at the event. “We organized this event to call out President Obama for not owning up to his word and continuing to deport indivi


26 Aug 1 Comment

Second Half of California DREAM Act Jumps Major Hurdle

The LA Times reports today that AB 131 (the other half of the California DREAM Act) has jumped a major hurdle and has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  This means that the bill is one step closer to becoming law in the state of California, to which Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said that he "expected the bill to pass the Senate and Assembly next week and land on the governor's desk soon after." If AB 131 passes, as Assemblyman Cedillo predicts, undocumented students in California will have access to Cal Grants as well as other forms of public financial aid t