NOTE: The alert was issued in late November and early December 2010 by many organizations including, the Kentucky Council of Churches and the Catholic Conference of Kentucky. The best source of information on the DREAM Act may be the National Immigration Law Center.
ACTION:
This afternoon (Wednesday 12/8) the House, and quite possibly the Senate as well, will be voting on the DREAM Act. Please email Rep. Chandler and Senators McConnell ASAP. Please call Senator Bunning.
WHEN:
Call as soon as possible. Vote in U.S. House today 12/8. A vote is also possible today in the Senate.
MESSAGE:
I am a Kentuckian who supports the DREAM Act. Kentucky students who are undocumented through no fault of their own deserve a break. Please vote for the DREAM Act. (Give at least your city and zip).
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chandler's Office: Please email Jennifer Prather: jennifer.prather@mail.house.gov
McConnell's Office: Please email Russell Coleman: russell_coleman@mcconnell.senate.gov
Bunning: Call the congressional switchboard. Ask for Senator Jim Bunnings office: (202) 224-3121
BASIC BACKGROUND:
Go to: Click here.
This act would provide a path to residency for young people who were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents. Many years later they are thoroughly American, may not know Spanish, and have known no other home than the U.S. Since they are undocumented, these young people cannot pursue higher education or hold a job legally. The DREAM Act allows such young people to work and go to school, provided they fullfill a stiff set of conditions.
BASIC BACKGROUND:
Go to: Click here.
Why Should We Support the DREAM Act? (from Rev. Bill Mefford of the United Methodist Church)
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Because it is immoral to penalize students for something they had no power over. These students want to give back to the United States and are prevented from doing so because they were brought here by their parents. They deserve every opportunity to regularize their status and contribute to our local communities.
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Because the public supports it: 70%, according to a recent poll by First Focus.
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Because it will help the economy and reduce the deficit. The Congressional Budget Office, a non-partisan government office that determines the costs or savings of impending legislation, has determined the DREAM Act would increase revenue by $2.3 billion over the next 10 years and reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion.
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Because the military supports it. Secretary of Defense Bill Gates and Retired General Colin Powell have both written letters to Congress in support of the DREAM Act.
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Because it makes sense. Allowing immigrant students to continue their education and achieve their potential will translate into better jobs and higher tax revenue when these promising young people enter the workforce. Focusing on more enforcement, after we have already spent $140 billion on border security since 1996, will result in higher deficits, more deaths in the desert, cuts in other programs, and higher taxes to pay to deport these immigrant youths.
Click here to find more information about the Dream Act.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION:
National Immigration Law Center
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