What can I do to help?

I'm on this forum to keep up with the DREAM Act for my girlfriend, hoping that she'll have a better life as a result.

I was born and raised in New Jersey. I am 18.

So since the Senate should be voting in a week or so, what should I be doing right now to help out?

You can start by calling senators and asking them to support the DREAM Act.

http://www.dreamactivist.org/

Anybody specific who I should call? I see nobody in Senate listed there from New Jersey. What should I say? Should I mention that I am a citizen? I'm not normally one to speak out for these things, so I'm not sure of what I should say.

just pick any of the threads in this section. there will be numbers, names and what to say.

Also....spread some awareness to your fellow US citizen to support DREAM Act and urge them to call senators as well. The more, the better.

Thanks for your support =)

Wow, God bless you man. We need more citizen support like this.

Sorry for being difficult, but I need something specific to say. I am very nervous and I want to sound professional Should I mention that I am a citizen? Should I say something about my girlfriend not being able to go to college next year because she can't get a job to pay for it? I want to help, but I need a "script" of some sort. Anybody want to help me out? Also, would I be speaking to a person, or just leaving a message?

http://dreamact.info/forum/showthread.php?t=18340

That thread has a generic script you can use. Also you should say you are a U.S. citizen and try to give a zip code or city as your location for the Senators you call. There are a number of other threads in Taking Action to help with this.

When you call, you should not worry about how you sound. Their job is to take your call and record your opinions. They are supposed to have a little bit of patience and hear you out, even if you are not the most eloquent caller to begin with.

Good luck!

So when I call and get the operator, I ask for a senator (I'll call Menendez because he's from my state.) I assume he won't pick up, but I'll be able to leave a message.

I'll say:

"Hello Sen. Menendez. My name is ****** ***** calling from ********, New Jersey in support of the DREAM Act. I am currently a high school senior and although I am going to college next fall, some of my close friends will not be able to afford it due to their status. They were brought here from South America by their parents at very young ages and they should not have to suffer because of their parents' wrongdoings. Passing the DREAM Act will enable my friends to work so they can pay for the education and future that they deserve. Please vote yes on the DREAM Act next week. Thank you!"

Sound good?

Yes, it sounds good.

Don't just call Menendez, that will not be enough. Please call senators from out of state as well. If you call late at night, chances are that you will leave a voicemail, and don't say you are from New Jersey (but don't lie by saying that you are from some other state). Just omit your whereabouts if you leave a voicemail, but if you call during daytime, the staffer will ask you your zip code, but NEVER lie.

Anyways, I have called every single one of these senators and I have also sent faxes:

Senate Democrats:
Conrad (ND)
Dorgan (ND)
McCaskill (MO)
Webb (VA)
Warner (VA)
Landrieu (LA)
Pryor (AR)
Tester (MT)
Hagan (NC)

Senate Republicans:
Hutchison (TX)
Brownback (KS)
Murkowski (AK)
Kirk (IL)
Bennett (UT)
Voinovich (OH)
Snowe (ME)
Collins (ME)
Lemieux (FL)
Lugar (IN)
Bunning (KY)

Thanks for your efforts. Just call each of these senators and leave your message, I promise it won't take too long.

I am glad there are citizens like you who are willing to help. Truly, thank you.