Assignment #7

This week, we will focus on current immigration policy reform, such as the federal and California DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act. You have 4 readings for this week, two of which are examples of how the DREAM Act can prevent undocumented youth from being deported, and the other two discuss the implications of the DREAM Act.

1. Former undocumented immigrants tell stories from the Heartland
2. San Francisco student deportation to Peru on hold
3. California DREAM Act
4. Federal DREAM Act

Questions to think about in your response:
-What do you think should happen to undocumented youth, who were brought over to the United States by their parents when they were young? Should they be deported because they are not here legally, or should they be allowed to stay?
-What are advantages and disadvantages that you can identify in the DREAM Act?

Spring Break is over... where do we go from here?

We came back from our spring break trip a little over a week ago, and I feel so blessed to have shared this experience with my amazing participants.

The Roots Factory

Friendship ParkHaving fun while working in a community garden for Casa Familiar

After eating lunch near the beach

Making crosses with Border Angels to remember those who have died crossing the border

The border, as seen in the desert near Jacumba

With Congressman Bob Filner at the Freedom Riders exhibit
Thank for making this semester so rewarding!

Where do we go from here? We will be spending our last few DeCals connecting the issues learned so far to the Berkeley campus by focusing on undocumented students in higher education and current immigration policy reform. Last week, we had an AB540 student share with us his story of being an Asian undocumented student in the United States and struggles he's faced. This week, we will discuss the DREAM Act and how it provides a path to citizenship for undocumented students.