Thread: MA: Undocumented students seek meeting with Sen. Brown

Undocumented students seek meeting with Sen. Brown
By Russell Contreras
Associated Press Writer / April 8, 2010

BOSTON—A coalition of undocumented students is seeking a meeting with Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, saying they hope to better acquaint him with their issues since the loss of one of their strongest advocates and Brown's predecessor, the late Edward Kennedy.

Representatives for the groups, Harvard Act on a Dream and the Student Immigrant Movement, said Thursday they believe their online petition and letter-writing campaign eventually could lead to a private meeting between them and Brown before immigration reforms is debated in Congress.

Renata Teodoro, a 22-year-old undocumented student who has lived in the U.S. for 16 years, said the goal is for Brown, a Republican, to hear out the students and to meet a constituency group that rarely seeks public attention.

"We really want to sit down with him and tell him our story," said Teodoro, a Massachusetts high school graduate who attends college when she can afford the out-of-state tuition. "I hope he realizes (that) this is important and that this is affecting real people."

During his campaign in the special election to replace Kennedy, Brown said he was against granting driver's licenses and in-state tuition rates to illegal immigrants.

But immigrant advocates said they are hopeful to see where Brown stood on various reform proposals floating around in Congress.

Brown is on a congressional delegation trip in South Asia. His spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said the senator routinely meets with organizations from Massachusetts. In this case, Gitcho said, Brown's office has received the meeting request and will ask for further information to study the students' particular issues.

"Senator Brown has been clear and consistent on his immigration policy since he was a state representative," said Gitcho. "He opposes driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, and in-state tuition breaks, as well other taxpayer-funded programs for those who are in this country illegally."

Gitcho said Brown also believes that reforms should be made to streamline the process for those who seek citizenship "through the legal and proper channels."

That's a change in tone from Kennedy, who at times took to the Senate floor and pressed for reforms as he told stories about undocumented students in Massachusetts trying to attend college.

Sen. John Kerry, a Democrat, also has expressed support for similar immigration reforms.

Such reform proposals, however, have met strong resistance from some Massachusetts residents and state lawmakers from both parties.

Melissa Tran, 21, president of the Harvard Act on a Dream, a group that advocates for undocumented students, said many residents would be surprised to know that some current college students are undocumented because the students have lived here most of their lives and are part of the community.

"Basically they are like any other students I know," said the Milpitas, Calif.-born Tran, whose parents are from Vietnam. "I wouldn't be able to pick them out at Harvard."

Tran said the issue impacts not just undocumented students but all resident since the students won't be "allowed to reach their full potential."

It's unclear how many undocumented students in Massachusetts and other states would benefit from any federal changes. For example, the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates that 400 to 600 students might enter Massachusetts schools as a result of an in-state-tuition reform bill and that it likely would result in $2.5 million of extra revenue.

Currently, 10 states -- California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin -- have such in-state tuition laws for undocumented students.

Advocates estimate about a dozen or so undocumented students are at Harvard alone.

Still, Teodoro said undocumented students are ready to make their case to Brown, even if it means risking deportation.

"I have no choice but to speak out because it's not just about me," said Teodoro, whose mother, sister and brother were deported to Brazil three years ago. "I'm not afraid of being afraid."

www.boston.com

Renata Teodoro, a 22-year-old undocumented student who has lived in the U.S. for 16 years, said the goal is for Brown, a Republican, to hear out the students and to meet a constituency group that rarely seeks public attention.

Since they are undocumented students with no legal presence they should not be lobbying a US Congressman.

"I have no choice but to speak out because it's not just about me," said Teodoro, whose mother, sister and brother were deported to Brazil three years ago. "I'm not afraid of being afraid."

You should've gone with them like you were supposed to instead of demanding rights in a country you shouldn't be in.

A coalition of illegal alien students, better put.......

Why would a US Congressman placate a bunch of criminals by agreeing to give them any of his time. The very act of giving his time legitimizes these illegal invaders and their criminal activity!

He should simply tell them his time is reserved for the American citizens who elected him to represent their interests!

[b]The real Dream Act would send these students back to their HOME countries and stop draining our resources that could be used to assist United States Citizens and NOT the ILLEGALS and their Anchors! Just follow the money! The Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Political Contributors want to continue to have United States Citizens pay the benefits for their ILLEGALS while they continue to have their BOTTOM LINES increased at the taxpayer's expense!

The Elitists are no more concerned about the ILLEGALS than they are of United States Citizens; JUST FOLLOW THE MONEY! Once again the Elitist Politicians from both "major" Political Parties and their Elitist Political Contributors consider United States citizens only as "units of labor" and the sooner we become a Third World Country the better for their "bottom line"! Our Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Political Contributors will not be happy until they transform the United States into a Third World Country for most of our citizens while furnishing the Chamber of Commerce and all their Elitist Special Interest Groups with their supply of "cheap labor". The Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Contributors are “socializing benefitsâ€

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http://www.alipac.us/article-5106--0-0.html

Illegal aliens must not talk to elected officials. Elected officials are supposed to make sure we respect laws. Therefore, that illegal alien must to be allowed to talk to Brown. That individual must be deported.

My first question would be; "Were any American citizen children denied acceptance to the school you attend because you were accepted?" Even if the American child's credentials were of a lesser degree that child was ROBBED! If any of these IAs benefited from an Affirmative Action type rule it was an Armed Robbery!

JMO