How To Get The Dream Act Passed 2009 Edition

Hey everyone, 2009 is here, the DREAM Act will hopefully be introduced soon and hopefully we’ll already be mobilized and in action when that day comes. I am going to update this thread with ongoing projects from this site and also other sites / groups through out the country.


Please check back and check back often, if you complete a task on the list then refer a friend to do the same. If you know of something that should be added please post about it and I’ll make sure to add it to the first post.


SIGN and Distribute the Petition:


The DREAM Act petition is in need of 65,000 signatures. Please sign, and distribute it to everyone you know by all means possible (FB, MySpace, Stumble, Twitter, etc.)


The petition can be signed here for now but will be moved to this site in the near future DREAM ACT 2009. If you have blogs please post the smaller banners also available onto your blog so others can be directed to sign the petition as well.


Faces of DREAM


We need a baby / toddler / what ever you have to offer picture from everyone. This way no one will be able to recognize you, so this is a safe way to contribute. PLease PM me your picture as soon as you have it.


Change.org DREAMie Story


Every Friday, change.org immigration blog features a story about a DREAM Act student. Please e-mail your story to [email protected] along with a picture you want to use, this does not necessarily have to be a picture of you . . . feel free to use your imagination cap.


Meet with your Member of Congress:


Everyone should be meeting with at least their local representatives in their local offices. This is an extremely effective way to get our message across. Durbin’s office has specifically said that DREAM students personally presenting their stories is what gets members to vote the bill, otherwise all they know about it is what the opposition feeds them.


We have to get in and make personal connections with these members.


It is really much easier and less intimidating than it sounds. Remember these people work for us and so it is our duty to make sure that they know how we feel about what they are doing.


Contact the House or Senate Switchboard at 202.224.3121 or 202.225.3121 and either give the operator your zip code or state and they will transfer you to your member of congress. Kindly ask the staffer speak to the Members immigration aid or just let them know you want to schedule an appointment and would like to have the schedulers email address so you can send in a formal request. Get the schedulers name too so you can send the E-Mail “Attention: <scheduler’s name>


Go here for a sample letter to send in and more information on the process.


Also, don’t forget to do some research before your meeting. Find out where your Member stands on the issue and the way they voted, so you’re prepared with talking points.


If you have any questions about any of this shoot either MariaG1987 or myself a PM or post here, or if you want to contribute more, do feel free to see the taking action section of the forum in the stickies seciton that are updated regularly.

These are all very easy ways to contribute.

Also, please don't be afraid to meet with your congressmen, they're not as scary as they may seem! And even if you only talk to their immigration aid, it's still a big big help.

"Everyone should be meeting with at least their local representatives in their local offices. This is an extremely effective way to get our message across. Durbin’s office has specifically said that DREAM students personally presenting their stories is what gets members to vote the bill, otherwise all they know about it is what the opposition feeds them. "

If this is the best way to get members to vote for DREAM, I think it would be best to encourage people to do it. I know I'd be intimidated to meet up with my representative and tell him my story personally. However, if we were to this in groups (organized through school clubs or programs) I think we'd have a bigger, more direct impact.

To be frank, I'll do Faces of Dream, sign the petition, and maybe write a DREAMie story (more like edit a personal statement written for a scholarship.)

I'd be happy to do the Faces of DREAM. Already signed the petition. But if I have to do it again, so shall it be.

Awsm!
Feel free to PM me or Maria when you guys have those assignments completed. Or send piece by piece if you can