Thread: OR-Multnomah County commissioners support DREAM ACT

Multnomah County commissioners support education relief act for undocumented students
By Nikole Hannah-Jones
October 29, 2009, 5:44PM

The Multnomah County commissioners never seem short of resolutions to pass and proclamations to make, but today's unanimous vote to support the federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was particularly emotional for both the commissioners and the audience who came to support it.

Known as the DREAM ACT, the legislation that would allow children brought into the country illegally to attend and pay in-state tuition at public universities, was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in March. But as it has stalled in the past year, it again has yet to be heard on the floor of either chamber.

"All of us remember a time in our youth when the world was full of promise, when we were still deciding whether to be doctor or astronaut ... or for a few strange kids, politicians," said Commissioner Jeff Cogen. "We raise our children to believe that anything is possible. We tell our children to work hard and all the doors of opportunity will open to you. Now imagine that on your 18th birthday that same country that tells you to believe in the power of dreams says never mind your dreams."

That, Cogen said, is the situation of thousands of students across the country each year who graduate from high school but then are unable to attend college because they are undocumented. It isn't fair, he said, nor does it reflect American values.

Several Portland State University and high school students shared their personal stories and the stories of friends and family members with the board. They spoke of hopes dashed and of children who as teenagers learn that the only country they've known is not their own.

"I believe everyone should have the right to obtain education after graduating from high school," said Karla Suarez, a Gresham High School student who became a legal resident her freshman year. "Everyone deserves a chance to pursue their dreams regardless of where they are from or the color of their skin. America has always been a place of immigrants."

The commissioners said it was important to voice their support for the federal legislation to make a point to Washington, D.C., but also to the community.
"I want to be able to send a message to you all and all of those who couldn't be here today out of fear that I support you and I value you," said Commissioner Deborah Kafoury.

Videl Fuentes Ramos, who recently received his visa, thanked the commissioners for supporting the act. He said he was afraid to speak when he testified at a hearing in support of a similar state act that has not passed either, because he was in the country illegally at the time.

"Having legal status makes me feel free," he said. "I feel this is my home and I belong here because I am one of the people that wants to make a change. There is hope because of leaders like you."

-- Nikole Hannah-Jones


http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/inde ... ers_1.html

Good grief, Oregon has gone to crap!

Repeat - "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!"

America has always been a place of immigrants."

Omitted the word Legal!