DREAM Act Update

The bill is on the House calendar and we expect both chambers to begin the process this week. 

Continue your calls for the DREAM Act

Please share these numbers who everyone in your list! 

DREAM Compilation materials for November 29, 2010

1.     FREE 1-866 Numbers to call Senators to push for DREAM:

a.     Senate Spanish: 866-961-4293

b.     Senate English: 866-996-5161

2.     FREE 1-866 Numbers to call to GOP members to push for DREAM:

a.     GOP Spanish: 866-956-3902

b.     GOP English:  866-587-6101

RAP: “We would like to URGE you to VOTE YES for the passage of the DREAM Act bill during this Lame Duck Session of congress.  We are part of a nationwide Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign.”

RAP for limited English speakers: “Support DREAM Act, Thank you.”

DREAM Update 11-29-10

We may have the votes necessary in the House but we must continue pushing calls into Donnelly's office to ask his support and into Lugar's office to thank him and encourage him.  The Senate continues to be the problem has we are still short of the votes needed to move the DREAM Act. 

Indiana Catholic Conference Talking Points on the DREAM Act

November 23, 2010

Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) is the public policy voice of the Catholic bishops in Indiana regarding state and national matters.

DREAM Act
Senator Richard Lugar, a sponsor of the DREAM Act, is expecting that it will be acted upon following the Thanksgiving holiday. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly support this legislation as one means of providing hope and opportunity for many young people who are trapped through no fault of their own without citizenship status.

Despite the value of the legislation, false information is often reported. The following provides more accurate information.

Dispelling DREAM Act Myths

The DREAM Act is a proposal to provide legal status to undocumented youth who entered the U.S. as children, graduated from U.S. high schools, and attend college or enter the military. Some who oppose it claim that it would cheat native-born students out of opportunities.  This has no basis in fact.  Moreover, it ignores the economic benefits that come from legalizing a group of talented, hard-working individuals who want nothing more than to contribute to America and repay the country for the opportunities they’ve been given.

Research has shown that providing a legal status for young people who have a proven record of success in the United States would be a boon to the economy and the U.S. workforce.  University presidents and educational associations, as well as military recruiters, business and religious leaders, have added their voice to those calling for passage of the bill. 

The DREAM Act will help boost the number of high-skilled American-raised workers. Removing the uncertainty of undocumented status allows legalized immigrants to earn higher wages and move into higher-paying occupations, and also encourages them to invest more in their own education, open bank accounts, buy homes, and start businesses.

The U.S. military also needs the DREAM Act. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy, Bill Carr, stated that the law would be “good for readiness” and would help to recruit “cream of the crop” students.  The DREAM Act is part of the Department of Defense’s 2010-2012 Strategic Plan to assist the military in its recruiting efforts.

 

Myth:  The DREAM Act uses taxpayer dollars for scholarships and grants to undocumented students.

Fact:  The DREAM Act states that undocumented youth adjusting to lawful permanent resident status are only eligible for federal student loans (which must be paid back), and federal work-study programs, where they must work for any benefit they receive. They are not eligible for federal grants, such as Pell Grants.

Myth:  The DREAM Act gives undocumented students and their families access to public benefits.

Fact:  DREAM Act students receive no special benefits and are subject to the same public benefits eligibility requirements as other legal immigrants.  This means that DREAM Act students and families are NOT immediately eligible for Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid (other than emergency care), and numerous other federal benefit programs.  In general, a person must be here as a lawful permanent resident for five years before they receive non-emergency federal assistance.

Myth: The DREAM Act will result in a mass amnesty.

Fact:  The DREAM Act is not an amnesty.  No one will automatically receive a green card.  To legalize, individuals have to meet stringent eligibility criteria: they must have entered the United States before age 16; must have been here for five years or more; must not have committed any major crimes; must graduate from high school or the equivalent; and must complete at least two years of college or military service.  Eligible students must first obtain conditional residency and complete the requirements before they can obtain a green card—a process that will take years.  Not all immigrants who came as young children will be eligible to legalize because they will not meet some of these requirements.

Myth:  The DREAM Act will spur more illegal immigration because it rewards undocumented youth.

Fact:  Programs like the DREAM Act, which have clear cut-off dates, offer no incentives for more illegal immigration.  In order to qualify for the DREAM Act, a student must have entered the United States before the age of 16 and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years before the date of enactment.  Economic conditions have far more impact on illegal immigration than specific pieces of legislation.

Myth:  The DREAM Act lets students cut in line in front of other lawful immigrants.

Fact:  DREAM Act students do not compete for visas with other applicants for legal permanent residence.  Instead, DREAM Act creates a separate program for students that requires them to earn legal permanent residence by attending college or serving in the military for two years while in a temporary legal status.  DREAM will not affect the number of visas available or the time it takes to get a visa for those entering through traditional legal immigration.

Call your Senators for the DREAM Act

Continue calling and sharing this number with your friends. 

FREE Online Numbers to call Senators to push for DREAM and AgJobs:
Senate Spanish: 866-961-4293
Senate English: 866-996-5161


FREE Online Numbers to call to GOP targets to push for DREAM and AgJobs:
GOP Spanish: 866-956-3902
GOP English:  866-587-6101


RAP: "We would like to URGE you to VOTE YES for the passage of the DREAM Act and AgJobs bills during this Lame Duck Session of congress.  We are part of a nationwide Reform Immigration FOR America Campaign

November 23, 2010 update on the DREAM Act

There is a good chance the DREAM Act will be a stand alone bill.  This is will help secure a few more votes for the bill but we must be ready to stop any bad amendments.  Please call Senator Lugar and thank him for continuing to support the DREAM Act and call Congressman Donnelly asking him to vote yes when and if it comes to a vote. Text JUSTICE to 69866

Thanks to everyone yesterday at the Common Council hearing.  We showed up and supported Councilman Oliver Davis in a unique and extraordinary proclamation.  The City Council does not entertain proclamations on a regular basis and Councilman Davis pushed to make it happen for us.  I would like to thank the students of Adams High School, IUSB, Notre Dame and St. Mary's College.  We also have pictures posted at www.tapmichiana.org

Education Taskforce - Tuesday November 16

We saw new and returning faces at the Delegates Assembly.  There is a lot of concern about getting parents more involved in their children's education.  Some of the suggested solutions were Parent Teacher conferences, home visits, and parent mentoring.

The Read to a Child Program generated a lot of excitement as action we can take now.  The idea is to have our churches adopt a primary school and read to a child.  Pastors talk to your congregation and church members talk to your pastor about adopting a nearby primary school.  There is no cost to do this.  There is a one hour training session, the next one is January 26, and a half hour each week to read to your child.  You will be helping an at risk child and find it a rewarding experience.

The Mentoring Dream Team is in need of mentors.  There is a lack of African American, especially male, mentors.  Our children need positive role models they can relate to.  Follow the link, check out the program, and become a mentor.  You can make a positive difference in a child's life. 

How are TAP issues decided?

TAP issues are determined by our member institutions.  The member institutions come together and share the challenges and hardships their constituents are facing on a daily basis through relationship building across cultural, race and religious lines.  We acknowledge our differences in doctrine, experiences and culture but seek to work together around issues that are shared by our communities.   We look for solutions by bringing people together to create strategies, learn from experts and take action for progress.  TAP's rules for working on issue are 1) it must be in the hearts and mind of the community 2) It has a clear target, meaning we can name the person who can improve the problem 3) it is a short term, 3-6 months 4) and it is winnable.  We determine all this factors by first listening to the community, then the people in elected office or in positions of power who can effect change and we work towards a winnable solution for the community.