Entry Denied: The American Dream vs. Current U.S. Immigration Laws

The complex issues surrounding the topic of immigration take an interactive and apprehensive approach in the immigration survey “Entry Denied.”

The survey allows the participant to answer a series of questions in regards to the immigration journey of a relative. The first questions are based on the region of origin and era of the immigrant.

The journey continues with the reason as to why the selected relative came to America. In my case, my Mexican Father who emigrated in the 1980’s, did so to seek a better life. The next question is about the plan to pursue the “good life.” As far as his abilities, he was just a good worker. And voila, under today’s laws, my father would have no such legal method of entering America and would have to resort to the “Green Card Lottery.”

Also known as the “Diversity Lottery,” this is “currently the only option for most prospective immigrants today.” But if the country has “sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. over the past five years,” then you might as well abandon the American Dream.

Visit www.entrydenied.org and take the survey yourself to see how your fate as an immigrant would measure up against the current United States immigration policies.

BEND THE ARC, a Jewish Partnership for Justice is the driving organization behind the survey “Entry Denied,” geared towards shedding light on the importance of an immigration reform and a reasonable path to citizenship.

Photo credit: entrydenied.org

WA State DREAM Act Passed the House - NOW the Senate

Wednesday, March 14, 2013 was a great day for many of us Washingtonian DREAMERs and for all those that believe in us. Why you ask? Well with many great efforts from a multitude of individuals, and various organizations and groups, we where able to get the WA State DREAM Act Passed in the House. What is best is that we passed it with HUGE Support from both Democrats and Republicans turning the vote to 77-20.  I witnessed how Republicans and Democrats would rise like warriors defending the future of our state and of our dreams. It is a time to celebrate shorty so I invite you all to attend Parliament on Friday March 15th, 2013, we must continue because this push is not over.

Steps Needed to be Taken Now.

Step 1) Please, thank all of our House Representatives that voted Yes on this bill. It is important for them to know that we appreciate their support and we are here to support in any way we can. Info on voter turn out can be found here.

Step 2) Realize that the push is not over and we MUST mobilize our communities.
-create a group of friends, student clubs, church organizations etc. find a action network who will help you push for the WA State DREAM Act.

Step 3) Push goes to the Senate
                   Higher Education Committee
Bailey, Barbara (R) ChairINB 109B(360) 786-7618
Becker, Randi (R) Vice ChairINB 110(360) 786-7602
Kohl-Welles, Jeanne (D) *JAC 219(360) 786-7670
Baumgartner, Michael (R)INB 202(360) 786-7610
Frockt, David (D)LEG 402(360) 786-7690
McAuliffe, Rosemary (D)LEG 403(360) 786-7600
Tom, Rodney (D)LEG 307(360) 786-7694


FULL LIST OF SENATORS HERE

Step 4) Take ACTION:

Things to take into consideration, own the fact that you are a fierce/strong person. Wether you are documented or not, you have a voice, make sure you use it. The time is now.


Please if your planning actions or want to have an action but do not know how to start, contact Project Coordinator Carlos Padilla to help you facilitate this actions.

Action Ideas Vary:

Call-a-thons: set up a time where all your action network can meet and sit down and call the Higher Education Committee and the rest of the Senate. (make it fun, play some music and let the calling begin)

*Hello my name is _____________. I am calling in support of the WA State DREAM Act H.B. 1817 which passed the house with a large bipartisan support 77-20. I urge the Senator to bring the WA State DREAM Act to a vote on the Senate and vote Yes, because we must provide and equal opportunity for all Washington Students and we must secure Washington's Economic Prosperity.

Email the Senators: Personalize your letter, write a to the Senator why this bill matters to you.
You can start the email like your phone call.

*Hello my name is _____________. I am emailing the senator in support of the WA State DREAM Act H.B. 1817 which passed the house with a large bipartisan support 77-20. I urge the Senator to bring the WA State DREAM Act to a vote on the Senate and vote Yes, because we must provide and equal opportunity for all Washington Students and we must secure Washington's Economic Prosperity.

I personally am impacted by this bill because.... (write something short on why this bill matters)

I thank the Senator for taking the time to read why this bill matters to me and to the state of Washington. Thank you

Meet the Senators: Call their office and arrange for to have a meeting with the Senator whether in Olympia or ask if the senator will be in his home-town and if their is a chance she/he can meet your there. If this is your first time meeting with the Senators, try to have someone who has experience with legislative meetings to help you facilitate this meeting.

OUR DREAM IS CLOSE, WE MUST CONTINUE FIGHTING AND BEING THESE STRONG PEOPLE WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN. WE MUST BE THE AGENTS OF THE CHANGE WE WISH TO SEE.

UNAFRAID, UNASHAMED & UNITED!

The Washington State Dream Act Gets Approved by UW Student Senate Bill

Monica Mendoza Castrejon, Washington Dream 
Act Coalition Partnership Coordinator 

Do you want the WA State Dream Act to pass? Comment HERE

This week, ASUW (Associated Students of the University of Washington) Senate passed its own piece of legislation to back up HB 1817, the WA Dream Act.

The idea of creating a piece of legislation that’s coming from a student Senate was sparked by myself and several others involved with ASUW, such as La Raza Commission. 

The time was right, because the Washington State Dream Act is quickly moving through committee hearings.

Rob McKenna Campaign In Trouble After Staffer's Tweet

Opinion Piece by WDAC Co-Founder Luis Ortega

The recent controversy surrounding the Rob McKenna campaign for governor is revealingly discouraging as well as disappointing.

Just yesterday, The Stranger broke a story about Kathlyn Ehl, a policy staffer for Rob McKenna’s gubernatorial campaign, and the tweets she had sent out containing inappropriate remarks about Asians and the elderly.

A tweet she sent on Jan 25, read like this: