GUYS THIS IS WHAT THE IMMIGRANT GROUPS THINK OF DREAM

Tasksgirl · 08-03-2007, 03:26 PM

Just thought you guys should know exactly what we are dealing with.
This is part of a conversation I had with SEVERAL members in an immigrant advocates email mailing group..

Quote:

some statistics about latinos in college
it is important to consider this information if one supports the DREAM Act as an opportunity to go to college. It is also important to note that these statistics include both documented and undocumented latinos. these numbers are even lower for the undocumented community
furthermore, we have the lowest levels of any group in the U.S. to finish high school. if we do not finish high school, how can we go to college?
therefore, the dream act will force a large majority of youth into the armed services if they want to "legalize themselves."

1) In July 2004, Hispanics account for 14.1% of the population
2) One of every 4 persons ( 24.3%) living in poverty in the United States is of Hispanic origin in 2002
3) Of all Hispanics over 25 in March 2002, 27.0% have less than a 9th grade education (vs. 4.0% for non-Hispanic whites); 43.0% have less than a high school education (cumulative percentages); and 57.0% of all Hispanics have graduated from high school ("Current Population Survey, 2002," U.S. Bureau of the Census:
4) As of 2003, 70.4% of all Hispanics over 25 have never attended college
5) The 2002 high school completion rate for Hispanics aged 25 and over was 57.0% versus the rate of 84.8% for whites
6) Only 24.9% of Hispanic high school graduates ages 18-21 were enrolled in college in 2002 versus the rate of 45.9% for whites ("Statistical Abstract of the United States 2004," p. 166, #256, U.S. Bureau of the Census:
7) By March 2003, for persons 25 years old and over, only 11.4% of Hispanics had completed a college education compared with 27.7% for whites ("Statistical Abstract of the United States 2004," p. 142, #214, U.S. Bureau of the Census

By 2003, only 8.3% of Hispanics 25-years-old and over had obtained a bachelor's degree and an additional 3.1% had an advanced degree , as compared to their white counterparts of whom 18.2% of the population had bachelors degrees and 9.5% had an advanced degree ("Statistical Abstract of the United States 2004," p. 142, #214, U.S.

2) going to college is not as easy as "setting your mind to it"
do you think that 70% of hispanos have no desire to go to college?
finishing high school from a public high school is hard enough for an american citizen
finishing as an undocumented student is even harder
believing you can go to college is another thing
having parents/social structure that support you
financial situation

going to college is more than "i think i can" - i see it because im a teacher at a public high school in chicago with students from 60 countries - many of them undocumented

because you're situation is easier doesnt mean its the same for everyone

passing a law that allows students to become residents if they go to college doesnt equate to more undocumented students going to college unless social and economic factors are addressed. and theyre not in this bill

therefore the army will be the route most accesible to an overwhelming majority of immigrants

Tasksgirl · 08-03-2007, 03:29 PM

Another one:
This is a GROUP - "RAZA EDUCATORS"

Quote:

In the past month, numerous non-profit organizations have been using university student â€œactivistsâ€ to hold rallies and demonstrations in support of the National DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would allow SOME undocumented students to attain permanent resident status if they meet one of the following criteria:

* A degree from a two- or four-year institution of higher education, OR
* Good standing for at least two years at an institution of higher education while working toward a bachelor's degree or higher, OR
* SERVICE IN THE U.S. IMPERIALIST ARMED FORCES for at least TWO YEARS.

Since most of these student â€œactivistsâ€ meet these requirements, they hope to gain their own legal status by getting this bill passed. Many of the proponents of this bill also emphasize the educational components of this bill, but are purposely ignoring the last and most important criteria: Military Service.

According to research on the education pipeline for Raza students, the vast majority will be forced to legalize by joining the US Armed Forces. We hope that these â€œactivistâ€ and non-profit organizations look past their self-interest and think carefully about the adverse effects the DREAM Act will have on the ENTIRE undocumented community and on poor peoples around the world.

Since Proposition 187 was introduced in the 1990â€™s the Association of Raza Educators (A.R.E.) has organized and fought for the democratic and human rights of our Gente both inside and outside of the classroom. Here in Los Angeles, A.R.E. has been at the forefront of organizing students and community members to march and fight against racist legislation like H.R. 4437. In the past year, A.R.E. has also brought awareness to the injustice faced by undocumented students and have been proactive in our efforts to assist these students. This year alone we raised over $10,000.00 and awarded it in scholarships specifically for undocumented students.

A.R.E. supports the unconditional and full legalization for ALL our Gente; however, we do NOT support the DREAM ACT because it will do irreparable harm to our community by causing a de facto military draft for our undocumented youth.

ARE will not sell-out ALL Raza youth so that a FEW of us can get â€œlegalizedâ€ and go to college!

The State badly miseducates our youth and the majority of our youth either gets pushed out of school or are ill prepared to go to college. According to National Stats for every Raza student who will attend a two or four year college, TWENTY will not. Under the Dream Act, this will leave the militarily as the only viable option for the majority of undocumented Raza youth.

We do not accept the stipulation of military service as a requirement for citizenship. Poor people of color (mostly Africans and Mexicans/Indigenous People) have built this county and have suffered years of discrimination and injustice, but for supporters of this bill, that is not enough they still wish to push us into their military to fight their wars. By failing to address the route of legalization through militarization, these â€œactivistâ€ groups are consciously and willfully supporting a bill that would force the majority of Raza youth to fight in Iraq and in future imperialist wars. As progressive Raza Educators, we firmly stand against the DREAM ACT for this reason.

A.R.E. has constantly stood against the militarization of our schools and youth for the purposes of fighting unjust imperialist wars of aggression against other poor people of color. There have been over 3,500 U.S. soldiers dead since the beginning of the war in Iraq, and tens of thousands injured.

With the passage of this bill, the U.S. will fill its ranks with immigrant and migrant soldiers, thereby relieving itâ€™s own sons and daughters of danger while they put ours in harms way.

Moreover, the U.S. has already placed 6,000 U.S. Troops at the US/Mexican border. Will our Raza youth become US mercenary soldiers who will be forced to point the gun at their own family members when they patrol the border? Will we support the DREAM ACT that will force our youth to join the same imperialist military that invaded Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama and countless other Latin American Countries?

A.R.E. asks all our Gente to please look closely at the DREAM ACT and reconsider your support for a bill that will cause a de facto military draft for our youth.

Â· Yes to Full Legalization for all our Gente!

Â· Yes to Education for all of our Youth!

Â· No to the National Dream Act!

Â· No to the Militarization of our Youth!

Tasksgirl · 08-03-2007, 03:31 PM

Last one guys.. I know it's alot of reading sorry BUT WE NEED TO KNOW
THis one is endorsed by many groups.. INCLUDING MECHA!!

Quote:

3/1: NO TO DREAM ACT

Somos Raza

Today March 1, 2007 there was an announcement that the Dream Act will be
re-introduced, by representatives Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Howard Berman (D-CA),
and Royal Allard (D-CA) and in the senate Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel
(R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) also announced that they will introduce the
DREAM Act within the next couple of days.

This measure is supposed to offer citizenship to "immigrant" students with
conditions, but we must read between the fine lines what this measure really
proposes is just another poverty draft in our communities.

When this measure was first introduced five years ago, many of us supported
it, because we fundamentally believe that everyone has the right to an
education, what has changed since then is that:

1). “Immigrant” students will be able to pay in-state tuition fees, but NOT
have access to federal funding (loans, financial aid, etc.). Given the rise
in cost of a college education (even at the community college level), and
stringent college admission requirements this will limit many in our
community to pursue an education because most students need to work to
support their families and DO NOT have the economic means to go to college.

2). Military service substituted the original proposal of community service
We are well aware that the majority of our youth will opt for this choice
due to their economic reality, this is why we call the “DREAM” Act for
whatit is a poverty draft/Surge Act. Our youth will be forced to fight
unjust wars and risk their lives for citizenship.

We are aware that neither the Republican nor the Democratic parties have the
interest of the Mexican and Latino Americano working class communities in
mind, and this is why we say NO to the DREAM Act and YES to a legalization
process without conditions and the unconditional right to an education and
access to higher learning institutions!

We make a call to all progressive youth, student, and community
organizations to join us in the struggle to denounce legislation that will
force us to fill the rank and file of the U.S. Military. Don’t Join the
Military, join Somos Raza in opposing this piece of dangerous legislation by
signing on to the the statement below. Organize and unite with the interests
of our community!

In solidarity & in struggle,
Somos Raza

Somos Raza
youth project of Union del Barrio
P.O. Box 620095
San Diego, CA [email protected]

SOMOS RAZA STATEMENT: Our dream shall not be a nightmare!

Thursday March 1, 2007

Exactly one year ago, when the spring of 2006 was beginning, we the youth
and students of San Diego, along with hundreds and thousands of other youth
and students from various communities, barrios, towns, and cities in the
United States took to the streets to denounce, protest, chant, and demand
that the US government not criminalize our parents, organizations, and
communities.

It was with our rebelliousness, joy, and strength that we joined the
vehement outcry of our parents and migrant workers against HR4437, so that
our dignity will no longer be trampled on.

We walked out of our classrooms wearing our school uniform, carrying our
national flags, with our backpack on our shoulders, and books under our arms
to demand dignity and respect!

Our destination was Chicano Park, the heart of our community in San Diego,
because the Park is a symbol of our struggle, of justice, and the
self-determination of our people. That spring was a season of hope, and it
was then that our voices said: Enough is Enough!

Thousands of us marched through the streets of our city even though they
told us we were wrong, and we continued to demand dignity and respect when
we were intimidated by school administrators and harassed by the police.
Through these intense times we were able to unite and organize one of the
biggest marches ever seen in the city of San Diego, led by us the youth and
students in solidarity with our parents that also demanded dignity and
respect that was our season of hope.

We know that there will be many more of those springs to come that will
blossom new struggles.

In 2001, when the DREAM ACT was proposed, we the youth and students
supported this measure because we believe that every student has the right
to an education and that no document can deny us that right.

Also in 2001 the US government declared a war against the Arab and Muslim
communities. A little later a war was also declared against the Mexican and
Latin American communities and soon after this the war also reached
Afghanistan and Iraq where millions of innocent women, men, and children
have been killed as a result of this unjust and illegal war. Not only was an
unjust war launched thousands of miles away, but we were dragged to these
remote lands where U.S. bombs and bullets fall and we are used as cannon
fodder.

Little by little the same congress representatives that sent us to “fight”
an illegal and unjust war began to criminalize our parents, they approved an
expansion of the border that divides our land, and put conditions on our
right to an education. They tell us that we can attend a higher learning
institution and receive citizenship, but they deny us access to federal
grants. They also say that in exchange for military service and going to
fight a war we can attain citizenship, but it is most probable that we get
it once our bodies are in coffins.

There are many who want to negotiate in our name, but we have already stated
our demands during our season of hope, our message was clear: ¡Enough is
Enough! We do not need intermediaries, we do not need them to give us a
voice, because we have spoken, listen to us know! Those who propose the
DREAM ACT tell us with all the arrogance in the world that this is our only
option to obtain citizenship.

Community youth and student led organizations will not permit that our dream
turn into a nightmare.

We the undersigned organizations declare that:

1. The fundamental right to an education is not negotiable.
2. No government can force us to go to war in exchange for citizenship.
3. We are opposed to forced military and war service.

4. We propose a just and dignified immigration policy that will not
negotiate our rights and dignity as a people.
5. We propose an immigration policy that will demilitarize the border.
6. We propose an immigration policy that will liberate our mothers, fathers,
sisters, brothers and families currently held in immigration detention
centers.
7. We propose an immigration policy that will put an end to the raids in our
community.

We the undersigned youth and student led organizations do not recognize the
measures that congress tries to impose on us without consulting with us, and
without a dialogue. We are opposed to a DREAM ACT that will send us to war
forcibly. You do not speak in our name. Our dream will not be a nightmare!
And many more Springs of struggle will come.

I am not the Army!
Our right to an education is not negotiable!
Our dream shall not be a nightmare!

Endorsing Organizations:

Coordinadora Estudiantil de la Raza (Los Angeles)
MEChA San Diego State University
MEChA San Diego City College
Raza Rights Coalition (San Diego & Los Angeles)
Committee on Raza Rights (Oxnard)

Neil · 08-03-2007, 03:44 PM

I wouldn't be to happy to be affiliated with M.E.C.H.A.

lilbawler2001 · 08-03-2007, 04:01 PM

task just ignore those groups.

Tasksgirl · 08-03-2007, 04:07 PM

Ignore them?? Many on here have talked before that we need to be calling these groups and getting them on our side !!

lilbawler2001 · 08-03-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tasksgirl

Ignore them?? Many on here have talked before that we need to be calling these groups and getting them on our side !!

I think that is going to be an uphill battle but it's worth a try.

GrumpyDreamer · 08-03-2007, 07:34 PM

socio economics? wtf how socio economic can you be without a work permit? fucking retards

GrumpyDreamer · 08-03-2007, 07:42 PM

if these groups REALLY care about undocumented youth they should do anything to get us legalized.

IF they think the military is SOOO horrible (which it isn't! my cousins love it and it helped them pursue their dreams) then they should be doing everything they can to educate these kids about going to school.

Invest in education that way. Man...even a job making 1000 is enough to sustain urself and taking out loans to pay for COMMUNITY COLLEGE is an option if you somehow can't make enough money to pay for it.

WHAT IS THIS? THEY WANT EVERYTHING AND WILL TAKE NOTHING...THESE GROUPS ARE RIDICULOUS

what are we going to do if we don't have any where to go? It's either

CHOICE!

or

NO CHOICE!

don't tell me that it's freaking compulsory service. My ass WANTED to join the military once upon a time. We need a choice...a chance! Not another year in freaking purgatory

brizaysol · 08-03-2007, 07:57 PM

we should draft a statement and send it to them.

whose good at writing.

They need you!

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GUYS THIS IS WHAT THE IMMIGRANT GROUPS THINK OF DREAM