Dream Act National Week of Action: Why We Choose to Escalate

by Kemi Bello · 2010-02-15 08:18:00 +0100
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We hear it every day: Obama's 38 words, doubt about immigration reform or any immigration proposal in 2010, increased pressure of non-immigrant friendly proposals and legislation (287g, repealing in-state tuition, removing access driver's licenses) in a growing number of states, and the continued separation of families.

The immigrant rights movement has been flooded by challenge after challenge in the past few months, but we have chosen to use this period of adversity we find ourselves in to escalate and continue to fight. What other choice do we have?

We cannot afford to wait another day, to let another student be deported or detained, to sit by while more youth grow up without parents, to shrug our shoulders while promising high school graduates become construction workers or janitors as a result of simple lack of opportunity. This movement is here to stay because to give up this fight for equality is to look hundreds of thousands of youth in the eye and reaffirm their greatest fears that they will always be "lesser than."

Last weekend, the undocumented youth movement, led by the United We Dream network, convened in Minnesota and formulated a strong and united 5-month strategy to continue to push for passage of the Dream Act and to lend our support to the broader passage of immigration reform. The first peak on this journey begins in 10 days with our national week of action. From February 22nd to February 27th, undocumented students, along with their supporters, allies, and communities, will unite in holding various actions across the country to re-ignite the fire of urgency faced by our community and to stand in solidarity with the Trail of Dreams, among other goals.

I remember the words I spoke during the closing speech at last summer's National Dream Graduation, words of Margaret Cho: "I have chosen to stay and fight." Will you join us?

Photo credit: back_garage

Kemi Bello is an undergraduate majoring in math and economics. She works with Dreamactivist.org and the Texas Dream Act Alliance.
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