Thread: {SOB} Supporters rally for DREAM Act

Supporters rally for DREAM Act
BY JAMES GELUSO, Californian staff writer
e-mail: jgeluso@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Jul 4 2007 10:20 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Jul 4 2007 11:09 PM

Adelina doesn't remember Mexico.
Photos:

Photo by Casey Christie

Father John Schmoll, from St. Augustine Church in Lamont says a prayer during the immigration rally Wednesday in Heritage Park.

Photo by Casey Christie

A group gathers around to listen to the prayers of Father John Schmoll, from St. Augustine Church in Lamont during Wednesday's immigration rally at Heritage Park. He was praying for those who have been recently fasting.

Her seven siblings, older and younger, are all American citizens, all born in the United States. But when Adelina's mother was pregnant with her, she went back to Mexico to care for her father, who was having health problems. So Adelina was born in Mexico and didn't return to the United States until she was six months old.

Adelina, who asked that her last name not be used because she is not a legal resident, is turning 24 today. She expects to graduate from California State University, Bakersfield in 2008, and then she wants to become a teacher.

"I had good teachers when I was smaller," she said. "The way children's brains work is amazing to me."

But she doesn't have legal status in the United States, so she has had to work her way through college without any sort of financial aid. For summer classes at Bakersfield College, she is borrowing money from an older brother.

And when she graduates, she probably won't be able to get a job as a teacher.

Adelina is pinning her dreams on the DREAM Act, a proposal that would allow students like her to gain legal residency in the United States.

She doesn't know what she will do if the bill doesn't pass.

"I don't see doing anything else," she said.

For Paola Fernandez, her friend Adelina is a good reason to pass the bill. There aren't enough teachers, she said, and there aren't enough engineers, and students who are qualified to take those jobs aren't allowed to do so.

Both came to a rally at Heritage Park in Bakersfield Wednesday, which was part of a statewide effort by students to push the DREAM Act.

Fernandez was on the third day of a planned eight-day, water-only fast. She and four other Bakersfield residents are fasting for the week, and 14 more were fasting for just July 4.

"Our message is students are starving for immigration reform," she said.

The rally drew about 60 people -- mostly Hispanic, but some not -- who gathered in a circle to tell personal stories, most in English but a few in Spanish.

"There is no way we can stay the way we are," said Carlos Gomez, one of the organizers of the rally. "Immigration reform has to include everyone -- students, laborers, everyone."

Juan Silva, 20, came from Rialto, in San Bernardino County, for the rally. He isn't here legally, but his parents brought him from Mexico when he was 3 years old, he said.

He's now attending community college but can only take two classes at a time because that's all he can afford.

"There's so many obstacles in the way," he said.

The Rev. John Schmoll of St. Augustine Church in Lamont, said he sees people in his congregation who would be helped by the proposal.

"My dream is amnesty for all people," he told the group. "I know it's a long-shot dream, but it's my dream."

He said he thanks God he was born in the United States, and because he was born here he believes he is required to help those who weren't so lucky.

Kern County Republican Party Executive Director Jack Duncan said his party could support something like the DREAM Act, but not until a more pressing issue is resolved.

"We are not going to support any kind of immigration reform until our borders are secure. Once we secure our borders, then we will deal with those who are already here illegally," Duncan said.

"My feeling is the Republican Party, most people in the Republican Party, are willing to deal in a humane manner to those who have been here for many years," he said.

Duncan said Republicans still feel burned by the government's promises to secure the border back in 1986, when amnesty was granted. Because of that, the border has to be secured before any other immigration laws are passed, he said.

DREAM Act

Short for “Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act,â€

So we're really supposed to care that they're fasting? I mean, what do they want us to do? Are we supposed to cave in to their demands because we're afraid they'll get too skinny? Everybody KNOWS they won't fast themselves to death, so why even bother??

The whole thing is ludicrous.

what about a dream act for american citizens? It seems that congress wants a dream act for illegals while ignoring the problems it creates for american citizens.

Originally Posted by americangirl

So we're really supposed to care that they're fasting? I mean, what do they want us to do? Are we supposed to cave in to their demands because we're afraid they'll get to skinny? Everybody KNOWS they won't fast themselves to death, so why even bother??

The whole thing is ludicrous.

Somebody needs to set up a Taco stand across the street.

Something tells me these little brats could stand to lose a few pounds...

Here is my Dream Act:

1. All illegals are stripped of social services
2. All the money saved goes to health care and child care for poor American citizens that are working.

This article infuriates me because it applauds people refusing to take personal responsibility and rewards those that think they should get something for nothing!

Bakersfield is the arm pit of SoCal., and now you can see why. All of the others interviewed are from gang infested ghettos (rialto). This makes me sick.

The so-called "Dream Act" is a nightmare for tax payers and American students.

And by the way, I just found an Ohio article in which an illegal alien, now 19 or 20, has just spent 8 years in public school at tax payer expense ($55k cost) then gets arrested selling a kilo of cocaine to undercover cops for $21,000.

His 17 year old accomplice is now in juvie too.

My dream is that they are deported so Americans can better afford to survive, let alone afford college.

Forsyth Technical Community College admitting Illegal Immigrants?
Email from Dr Gary Green ( President of Forsyth Technical Community College) to the Forsyth County Commissioners . Tuesday September 05 , 2006

We are off to a great start this fall with an increase in enrollment once again. I appreciate the opportunity to provide accurate information regarding our policy on enrolling undocumented individuals. In 2005, the Forsyth Tech Board of Trustees passed an institutional policy that allows undocumented individuals to enroll in college credit programs if they meet the following criteria:

1. They must have graduated from a North Carolina high school;

My thoughts: The Supreme Court ruling requires states to accept illegal aliens in public elementary and secondary schools but makes no mention of colleges. It is pretty well known that a majority of Forsyth County do not approve of using their tax dollars to subsidize the education of illegal aliens. In fact the majority of Forsyth County believe that illegal aliens should not even be here.

2. If they do not provide a social security number or proof of residency in North Carolina, they must pay out-of-state tuition. (Out-of state tuition is determined by the state at the actual cost of attending the community college, thus no state or local funds support the person's enrollment.)

My thoughts:
If you don't have a social security number or proof of residency in North Carolina you are here illegal and subject to arrest and deportation. Also we the taxpayer do pay for the upkeep of the buildings, campus, landscaping , security, ect What part are the illegal aliens paying for?

3. They may not enroll in programs leading to licensure or certification for which they would be ineligible (for example, they may not enter nursing, allied health, or public safety programs).

My thoughts:
What programs would they be eligible for? It's just more of a incentive to stay in the United States and take jobs away from Forsyth County citizens and LEGAL immigrants.

The Board passed this policy unanimously based on the knowledge that these young people have grown up here and graduated from our high schools and that the College should not punish them for any illegal acts their parents may have committed. These young people have been and are today in our community and deserve an opportunity. The policy is consistent with that of other North Carolina community colleges and the University of North Carolina System.

My thoughts: Subsection 1324 (a) (i) (A) (iv).....makes it an offense for any person who....encourages or induces an alien to come to, enter or RESIDE in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry or Residence is or will be in violation of the law.

If you are in the United States illegally (whether 1 day old or 100 years old) you are subject to arrest and deportation and no excuse in the world will change that.

Based on this policy, our best estimate of the number of students who have been enrolled in the college credit program is four.

My thoughts: That four too many..

I hope this answers the questions you have received about our policy. Please contact me if you would like more information on this issue or any other matter related to the College. I appreciate very much your support.

My thoughts
I have a question for the Commissioners. Again I respectfully request your reasoning as to why you voted to send back to the Board of Trustees at FTCC a person who voted to admit illegal aliens to the college. Instead you should have sent a message to the board that the voters of Forsyth County will not tolerate our taxpayer's money to train illegal aliens to take our children's future jobs and why are you so supportive of illegal aliens in our college?

Why have you not spoken out publicly about this matter?

Ah...Pobrecito!

I'm really a very nice person but I would probably, during my lunch break, go check out the protest. While I watched them I would eat my juicy thick hamburger, take a bite into my red crisp apple, followed by an incredible piece of chocolate cake.

What is this fast going to do for their cause?! Elvira stated she was going to fast. Was it 30 days?? Then I never heard how it ended. Heck, I can't even last an afternoon...without food.