July 22, 2010

DREAM Act to be discussed at forum on immigration reform

On July 27, the conveners of the National Latino Congreso and the Ad Hoc National Latino Coordinating Committee for Immigrant Justice will hold “A Forum on the ‘Down Payment’ Strategy on Immigration Reform.” Senator Dianne Feinstein will be the host and a speaker at the Forum. Legislative Panels will include representatives from various national organizations, including the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU).

Serena Davila, HACU Executive Director of Legislative Affairs, will speak in support of The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), a proposed federal legislation that would provide undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements. Davila will discuss recent activities of the Act on the DREAM Coalition, which counts on the support of 25 national organizations -- all advocating for immediate passage of the DREAM Act. HACU-led activities on behalf of the DREAM Act include meetings with more than 30 congressional offices.

Other confirmed advocacy speakers for the Forum are: Oscar Chacon, Executive Director, National Alliance of Latin American and Caribbean Communities (NALACC); Bob Dolibois and Monte Lake, American Nursery & Landscape Nursery; Carlos Roa, Trail of Dreams; Thomas Saenz, President, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF); Diana Tellefson, President, UWF Foundation; and Brent Wilkes, National Executive Director, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

For more information about the forum contact Patricia Gonzales (210) 922-3118.

Photo caption: Antonio Gonzalez, President of the William Velasquez Institute, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and Serena Davila, HACU Executive Director of Legislative Affairs.