Thread: Campus rally 'keeps the dream alive'

http://www.statepress.com/issues/2005/08/26/news/693548

Campus rally 'keeps the dream alive'
Students, faculty, legislators support immigration bill
by Amanda Gonser
published on Friday, August 26, 2005
Amidst applause and cheers of "Si se puede," a crowd dedicated to reforming laws for illegal immigrant students showed their support for the DREAM Act outside the Student Services Building Thursday.

About 50 students, faculty and government officials listened to speakers and signed a petition to support the legislation, which would allow high school graduates who have been in the United States for at least five years and have completed some college or military service to stay in the country legally.

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act), aims to help people who were illegally brought into the country as children, according to the National Immigration Law Center.

The rally, held by CADENA (Comite de Apoyo para el Desarrollo de la Nacion Americana) has formed a network across the United States to help the DREAM Act pass, said Daniel Rodriguez, a member who attended.

"It is common sense for someone who has lived here for so long to be able to exert their talents to their fullest," Rodriguez said.

The act is set up "for students to achieve their dream," said recent ASU graduate Luis Nava, one of the Wilson Four.

Three years ago, Nava and three other students tried to go to Niagara Falls while on a school trip and were stopped at the border. Government officials found out they were not legal citizens and attempted to deport the four students, an effort that failed.

Nava led the rally in the Pledge of Allegiance to show that although he is not officially a citizen, he feels as American as others in attendance.

"It doesn't matter which side of the border you are born on," said Dr. Delia Saenz, director of Intergroup Relations and a professor of psychology.

"We don't want to stop their potential," she added.

After immigrant students educate and motivate themselves "our country tells them, 'no, thank you,' and, 'go home,'" said Democratic Phoenix Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, who attended the rally.

Sinema said the DREAM Act will be reintroduced when Congress reconvenes and urged students to get involved by reaching out and speaking with their congressmen.

Undergraduate Student Government President Yaser Alamoodi, who was invited to speak at the rally, said he was excited to show his support for the DREAM Act. Alamoodi was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and came to the United States on a student visa for higher education.

"Keep the dream alive," Alamoodi said.

"It is common sense for someone who has lived here for so long to be able to exert their talents to their fullest," Rodriguez said.

They can use their talents to crawl back under the fence.

"It doesn't matter which side of the border you are born on," said Dr. Delia Saenz, director of Intergroup Relations and a professor of psychology.

Yes, it does. A doctor should be a little smarter.

Alamoodi was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and came to the United States on a student visa for higher education.

Just what we need. Another foreigner telling us what to do.