Every year, around 65,000 undocumented students graduate high school with few options for the future. They grew up in this country and are as American as any U.S.-born citizen, yet they can’t legally work or afford paying for college out of pocket. They live in constant fear of being torn from the only home they’ve ever known. The DREAM Act would change that.
The DREAM Act would grant certain undocumented students temporary legal status and make them eligible for in-state tuition. After they complete two years of college or military service, they would be granted conditional permanent resident status, putting them on the path to citizenship. The DREAM Act applies to undocumented students who:
– completed high school
– immigrated to the U.S. when they were 15 or younger
– show good moral character
– have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years before the enactment of the bill
On Tuesday, senators will vote on whether to pass the DREAM Act as an amendment to the defense authorization bill. Yet, the bill needs the support of many more senators.
What can you do to support the DREAM Act?
1. Call senators. Calling is the most important thing you can do. We need to flood senators’ offices with thousands of calls. Remember that there are many people calling against the DREAM Act. We need to show our strength in numbers. Not sure exactly what to say? Follow this script.
2. Email senators. Urge senators to support this legislation. State your points clearly, briefly, and passionately without being insulting or confrontational. You want to gain their support, not piss them off! Here’s an example of a letter.
3. Fax senators. As one blogger noted on DREAM Act’s Facebook page, some senators’ voicemail boxes might get full, but fax machines can’t. Flood their offices with paper to show how many people support the DREAM Act.
4. Sign online petitions. Signing a petition takes just a few seconds: Petition 1, Petition 2, Petition 3.
5. Attend vigils, community forums, and other events organized by DREAM Act activists.
Most importantly, educate yourself about what the DREAM Act is–and isn’t. Check out these resources:
National Immigration Law Center
Dream Activist.org
New York Times Editorial
REPUBLICANS TO CONTACT
Sen. Alexander (Republican, Tennessee)
Phone: (202) 224-4944
E-mail
Sen. Bailey-Hutchinson (Republican, Texas)
Phone: 202-224-5922
Fax: 202-224-0776
E-mail
Sen. Bennett (Republican, Utah)
Phone: (202) 224-5444
Fax: (202) 228-1168
E-mail
Sen. Brown (Republican, Massachusetts)
Phone: (202) 224-4543
Fax: (202) 228-2646
E-mail
Sen. Brownback (Republican, Kansas)
Phone: (202) 224-6521
E-mail
Sen. Bunning (Republican, Kentucky)
Phone: 202.224.4343
E-mail
Sen. Collins (Republican, Maine)
Phone: (202) 224-2523
E-mail
Sen. Crapo (Republican, Idaho)
Phone: (202) 224-6142
Fax: (202) 228-1375
Email
Sen. Grassley (Republican, Iowa)
Phone: (202) 224 – 3744
Fax: 202-224-6020
E-mail
Sen. Gregg (Republican, New Hampshire)
Phone: (202) 224-3324
E-mail
Sen. Hatch (Republican, Utah)
Phone: (202) 224-5251
Fax: (202) 224-6331
E-mail
Sen. LeMieux (Republican, Florida)
Phone: (202) 224-3041
E-mail
Sen. Lugar (Republican, Indiana)
Phone: (202) 224-4814
Fax: (202) 228-0360
E-mail
Sen. Murkowski (Republican, Alaska)
Phone: 202-224-6665
E-mail
Sen. McCain (Republican, Arizona)
Phone: (202) 224-2235
Fax: (202) 228-2862
Email
Sen. Snowe (Republican, Maine)
Phone: (202) 224-5344
E-mail
Sen. Voinovich (Republican, Ohio)
Phone: (202) 224-3353
E-mail
DEMOCRATS TO CONTACT
Sen. Baucus (Democrat, Montana)
Phone: (202) 224-2651
Fax: (202) 224-9412
E-mail
Sen. Begich (Democrat, Alaska)
Phone: (202) 224-3004
Fax: (202) 224-2354
E-mail
Sen. Conrad (Democrat, North Dakota)
Phone: (202) 224-2043
Fax : (202) 224-7776
E-mail
Sen. Dorgan (Democrat, North Dakota)
Phone: (202) 224-2551
E-mail
Sen. Feinstein (Democrat, California)
Phone: (202) 224-3841
E-mail
Sen. Goodwin (Democrat, West Virginia)
Phone: 202-224-3954
E-mail
Sen. Hagan (Democrat, North Carolina)
Phone: 202-224-6342
E-mail
Sen. Landrieu (Democrat, Louisiana)
Phone: (202) 224-5824
Fax: (202) 224-9735
E-mail
Sen. B. Nelson (Democrat, Nebraska)
Phone: 202-224-6551
Fax :1-202-228-0012
E-mail
Sen. Nelson (Democrat, Florida)
Phone: 202-224-5274
E-mail
Sen. Pryor (Democrat, Arkansas)
Phone: (202) 224-2353
Fax : (202) 228-0908
E-mail
Sen. Tester (Democrat, Montana)
Phone: (202) 224-2644
E-mail
Thank you to DREAM Act 2010 for the tips and contact information for the senators!