Somos Un Pueblo Unido Protecting Immigrants' Rights in New Mexico

Somos Un Pueblo Unido 1205 Parkway Dr, Suite B Sante Fe, NM   87507   telephone: 505-424-7832 fax: 505-438-8518 email: somos@rt66.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2007

Contact: Marcela Díaz, Somos Un Pueblo Unido

Albuquerque, New Mexico—Today several student and advocacy organizations launched a statewide campaign to support the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) of 2007. The DREAM Act is a federal bill that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrant youth who were brought to the U.S. as young children and are pursuing a higher education degree. It is expected to be reintroduced in the Senate mid November by a bipartisan slate of co-sponsors including Senator Bingaman.

At a press conference sponsored by Somos Un Pueblo Unido and New Mexico Voices for Children, students and educators emphasized the barriers immigrant youth face in pursuing a college education and spoke of New Mexico’s commitment to increasing higher education attainment rates as a way of strengthening the caliber of the state’s workforce and promoting economic development.

In 2005, the state legislature passed a law allowing undocumented immigrant youth who have grown up in New Mexico to receive in-state tuition and state financial aid. This legislation enjoyed broad support by educators, university administrators, city officials and faith, business and union leaders. Many of those currently benefiting from the law cannot and will not be able to practice in their chosen fields because they are not authorized to legally work in the country.

“New Mexico is my home. I know no other. I’ve lived here since I was six years old and I’d like to be able to stay here and work legally,” said Luisa Serrano, a UNM student and member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido who wants to become a lawyer. “There are thousands of students across the country in my situation. The DREAM Act would give us the opportunity to get a college degree, more fully contribute to the economy, and put our hard work and talents to good use.”

Student activists described community efforts around the state to support the DREAM Act. So far, they have collected 500 postcards urging New Mexico’s Senators to support the legislation and have posted several testimonials on My Space, a social networking website often utilized by young people. Other activities will include a student forum hosted by UNM Taos on October 11th at 6:00 PM to which policy makers, Congressional office representatives, and educational leaders are invited. Other groups will host a rally at NMSU in Las Cruces on October 16th.

“We are organizing this campaign to inform the public of our plight and to urge Senators Domenici and Bingaman to be strong advocates for us in Washington,” said Carmen García, a student at Santa Fe Community College who has lived in New Mexico since she was six years old and who would like to become a psychologist. “Like countless others, I have overcome many barriers in my life because so many people from this country have believed in me. I am American and I would like to have the same opportunity as my classmates to pursue a career and contribute my work to this community.”

María Cristina López, founding board member of Somos Un Pueblo Unido and adjunct professor at the Santa Fe Community College added “The DREAM Act embodies the spirit of personal perseverance and community values that represent this country’s best ideals. These students have succeeded not only because of their intense effort and determination, but also because their families, teachers, counselors and mentors have encouraged them to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. These are New Mexico’s children. They are the products of our community’s most successful efforts to move the state forward and advance the American Dream.”

“We have made great strides in New Mexico to encourage and support all students in seeking higher education,” stated Karen Sanchez-Griego, outgoing Executive Director of Engaging Latino Communities for Higher Education (ENLACE) New Mexico. “The DREAM Act would compliment these efforts and greatly benefit the state by giving these hardworking young people the same federal financial aid benefits as their peers and the opportunity to work in their vocational and professional fields.”

The DREAM Act is endorsed by dozens of statewide organizations in New Mexico including: Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico, Human Needs Coordinating Council, New Mexico Catholic Conferences of Bishops, Engaging Latinos for Higher Education (ENLACE), New Mexico Association for Bilingual Education, New Mexico Voices for Children, New Mexico Federal of Educational Employees/American Federal of Teachers, and Somos Un Pueblo Unido.