Chicago, IL - 50 immigrant rights activists and community members gathered outside of the Illinois Republican Party offices here, July 21, show solidarity with undocumented youth who were arrested in Washington D.C. the day before. On July 20, many youth, including nine from Chicago, were arrested as they staged a sit-in inside the capitol’s lobby and at several representatives’ offices. The youth were demanding the passage of the Dream Act, which would legalize undocumented students.
Jose Herrera, a member of the Immigrant Youth Justice League (IYJL) stated, “We are here because yesterday, nine of our IYJL members were arrested for what they believed. We are here to show solidarity with our members. What they did is what all of us should be doing, which is standing for their rights to be legalized and the right to achieve a higher education.”
The Chicago youth, along with other undocumented youth from Virginia, New York, California, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan, were part of “The Dream Is Coming to D.C.,” three days of actions in support of immigrant rights.
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Debate needed
We need more debate about the DREAM act's merits and what the strategy is. Some good fighters oppose it for the way it will undoubtedly lead to many undocumented immigrants joining the military in order to get legalized, while other good fighters are supporting it because at least it does provide an opportunity for youth going to college to get legalized. I'd be interested to see a debate from different voices within the immigrant rights movement on this.
we must get this bill passed.
first of all i thank you the author for posting this article regarding the rally in DC. Two of the dreamers who were arrested are friends of mine and hope their efforts don't go unnoticed.
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