UT President supports passage of DREAM Act

This just in from University Leadership Initiative: 

PRESS RELEASE
August, 9, 2010
Contact:  Julieta Garibay
University Leadership Initiative
512-297-9417

University of Texas President Supports the DREAM Act

Austin, TX -- University of Texas President William Powers is one of the newest university presidents who has made public his support for the DREAM Act. With President Obama's visit to UT, the University Leadership Initiative (ULI) hopes President Obama takes note of how the DREAM Act would help meet our nation's higher education goals.

Under the headline UT Support for the DREAM Act, President Bill Powers reiterates his support for the legislation and those it would benefit. President Powers stated:

"If Texas educates these young people, it should provide them with access to legal employment. At UT, we support the goal of our graduates having the opportunity to put their education to work on behalf of our state and our nation."

According to a recent report from the Migration Policy Institute 258,000 individuals in Texas would benefit from the DREAM Act.

"We thank President Powers for his support of the legislation," said Julieta Garibay, a University of Texas alumnus & ULI Co-founder. "Every year, students who would benefit from the DREAM Act graduate from public universities in our state, including the University of Texas. We hope that our state's senators and congressional delegation are taking note of the overwhelming support."

Jose Torres from the University Leadership Initiative added, "The economic benefits of an increasingly educated labor force to our state will be significant. It's no wonder that this law boasts supports from business groups, institutions of education, conservatives, and liberals."

In 2001, the Texas legislature overwhelmingly approved legislation to allow certain undocumented students who met residency requirements pay in-state tuition rates at public universities. The legislation was signed into law by Governor Rick Perry. The DREAM Act shows bipartisan support in Congress.

Good word on the DREAM Act

Take a moment to read the latest from Dallas Morning News columnist, William McKenzie on the DREAM Act.

Just makes sense. If you agree, contact your senators today and urge them to sign on to the bill.

.

Join the action next Wednesday to support the DREAM Act

Here's your chance to take a stand alongside some great students who deserve to be allowed to remain in the United States.

Support the Development, Relief and Edcuation for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) by joining us at Dallas City Hall in the Flag Room on the 6th Floor next Wednesday, September 23 at noon.

DREAM Act. . .relief

Good news arrived week before last concerning Monica and Jose. [To learn more about these two wonderful teenagers use the "Search" tool above to the left; just type in "Monica."]

Monica and Jose were brought to the US by their parents when they were just children. Like their parents, Monica and Jose have no approved documentation to stay in the country. But, they have been here almost all of their lives. No documentation, that is, until recently.

That's the good news.

The federal immigration court recently ruled that both of these fine young people, now almost 20-years-old, may remain in the US until April 2010. Their status is pending until that time.

In the meantime, we are hoping that the long awaited DREAM Act will be enacted into law. [For more details on the DREAM Act simply use the "Search" tool above!]

This summer a national film tour is planned to roll out the documentary, "An Unfinished DREAM."

Check out the film's trailer below:

DREAM Act Symposium at SMU this Thursday

Check Gerald Britt's post on the DREAM Act Symposium set for this Thursday, April 9 at Southern Methodist University here in Dallas.

If you care about seeing the DREAM Act passed into law, don't miss this event!

.