Support sought for immigration bill

Each year, about 65,000 teenagers who are in the country illegally graduate from high school facing an uncertain future.

This week organizations nationwide, including in Dalton, Ga., are hosting community events in support of the DREAM Act -- Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors -- a bill that would help some teens get legal status.

"We have many youth contacting us, saying they aren't able to continue their education," said America Gruner, founder of the Coalition of Latino Leaders in Dalton. "And we want to be able to identify them and give them a message of hope."

Today, the coalition will show short videos, collect signatures for a petition in support of the DREAM Act bill and read letters from students here and nationwide who would benefit from the bill.

Since Wednesday, more than 100 events in 26 states from California to New York have supported the legislation, which was reintroduced in Congress this year.

"We are seeking to highlight the problem of undocumented students and promote the DREAM Act as a policy solution for (Congress)," said Matias, a board member of United We Dream, a youth-led coalition pushing the passage of the bill.

Matias, 23, asked to be identified only by his first name because he is in the country illegally. He came from Argentina when he was 13. Since then, he has learned English, finished high school and graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles, Matias said.

"(These events give) people an opportunity to see the immigration debate through the eyes of a student who is caught in the middle of it," he said. "When people usually think of immigrants, they don't think of families with hope. There's been a long campaign to paint immigrants as a hindrance to society rather than a vital part of it."

IF YOU GO

What: Dream Act community meeting

When: 6:30 p.m. today

Where: 911 E. Morris St., Suite K, Dalton, Ga.

Information: Visit www.lidereslatinos.org, call 706-529-9216 or e-mail cliladalton@yahoo.com.

WHAT IS THE DREAM ACT?

A bill that would allow some illegal immigrants who grew up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventually become eligible for U.S. citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military.