MDC STUDENTS TO HOLD RALLY TO EXPRESS DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE DEFEAT OF THE DREAM ACT IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND TO VOW TO KEEP ADVOCATING FOR IT ON TUESDAY, OCT. 30, 2007, AT THE WOLFSON CAMPUS
Miami, Oct. 29, 2007 – Saddened by the news of the defeat of the DREAM Act in the United States Senate October 24, Miami Dade College (MDC) students will hold a rally on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., at the Wolfson Campus to express their disappointment and vow to continue advocating for the legislation. In fact, several impacted students will be in attendance as members of the Student Government Association (SGA) lead the rally. They will also thank Florida's U.S. Senators, Bill Nelson and Mel Martinez, who both supported moving forward with this important debate. The vote, which would have continued the debate on the bill, referred to as cloture, fell eight votes short of the required 60.
For several weeks, students at MDC and other institutions had been calling and writing Senate offices in support of the DREAM Act that provides a path to citizenship for undocumented students who are long-term residents of the United States and were initially brought to the country before the age of 16. Eligible students gain legal status through 2 years of higher education or military service. Most DREAM-eligible students have little or no contact with their "home" countries, having lived most of their lives in the U.S.
“Instead of being able pursue a college degree or enter the military, and make contributions to our nation, these students face deportation to countries with which they have little or no ties,” said Felipe Matos, president of the Wolfson Campus SGA.
Previous versions of the legislation also repealed a provision of federal law that barred states from granting in-state tuition to undocumented students.
“Regrettably, politics have shifted to the point where the legislation's sponsors felt they had to remove this provision of the bill in order to preserve its viability. We pledge to continue working with Congress to enact this provision in separate legislation which will make such an immense difference in allowing people greater access to higher education,” added Matos.
WHO: Miami Dade College Students
WHAT: Rally to express disappointment over defeat of DREAM Act in Senate
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007
2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Miami Dade College - Wolfson Campus
300 N.E. Second Avenue, Miami
Building One (By the fountain on the southwest side of the building)
For more information on event and legislation: Felipe Matos, Wolfson Campus SGA president 305-527-5574 or felipe.matos@mdc.edu or Victoria Hernandez, MDC director of governmental affairs 305-298-4878 or vhernand@mdc.edu
Media-only contacts: Juan Mendieta, MDC director of communications (305) 237-7611 or jmendiet@mdc.edu or Beverly C. Rodrigues, MDC director of media relations (305) 237-3949 or brodrigu@mdc.edu