"Secure Communities" Are Anything But

Recently, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will "move ahead with its controversial Secure Communities immigration enforcement program, even if states do not agree to participate." Read more.

This move by President Obama's administration is disappointing and ridiculous. "Secure Communities" does anything BUT provide security to our families. Instead, it tears families apart and threatens the most basic tenet of a community: a sense of safety and care for each other. With this program, who will want to report any crimes in their neighborhoods, with the fear that they may be detained by ICE agents?

United We Dream notes:

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as of May 23, 2011, the U.S. government has deported 1,026,517 immigrants since the beginning of fiscal year 2009. That figure includes noncriminal immigrants and DREAMers who are victims of our outdated immigration system. (Read more.)

This program is a problem for ALL of us as citizens, DREAMers, etc. Don't let our broken immigration system continue to break apart our communities. Get in involved. Call President Obama at 202-456-1111. Here is a sample phone script.

- Matt

Co-director & Co-founder

ScholarshipsA-Z

We're Not the Only Ones Fighting

As many of us already know, Maryland passed its own version of the DREAM Act on April 11th making it the 12th state to allow undocumented talented students to pay in-state-tuition at a four-year college. For many students this made a big difference; in-state tuition is about $9,000 compared to the $25,000 if you're out-of-state. Knowing that our numbers are growing in strength with more supporters each day only gives us hope that someday more and more states will be added to this list.

Two days after this great achievement 22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to the Obama Administration asking to stop all deportations of any individuals who qualify for the DREAM Act. In this letter they expressed their concerns about the impact that would happen if the deportations of DREAMers continue. They asked for an opportunity for these talented individuals to have the option to stay and contribute to our society. They are asking for the Obama Administration to keep a record of ALL DREAMERS cases to have a better view on how many great, talented minds we have here in our country. Read the entire letter.

Reading this letter has only given me the strength to keep on fighting for my fellow brothers and sisters. Knowing that we are the not the only ones fighting this battle, makes it a lot easier. In the end I know that we must keep fighting, DREAMing and never give up.

- Cristian T.