On the morning of July 20th, IYJL member Nicolas Gonzalez and Isabel Castillo opened the National DREAM Act graduation.  After this speech, they walked to capitol hill, where they participated in the sit-in at Senator Reid’s office. They were arrested along with 20 other undocumented students advocating for support of the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill.

My name is Isabel I’m undocumented and Unafraid.
My name is Nico I’m Undocumented and Unafraid.

We want to welcome you to the 2010 Dream Graduation In Washington DC. Students from all over the country are here today with the same goal in mind, to pass the DREAM ACT this year.  We are all here at The Capital to let legislators know that we’re still standing strong and haven’t lost faith. We give each other the strength to continue fighting with the hope that our laws will change soon The desire to pursue a higher education, to serve in the military and be able to give back to our communities in this country The United States Of America, this country we call home. A country that continuously puts barriers on our future. (more…)

According to Quinto Imperio‘s website this song, Crónica Inmigrante, was composed out of  the “need to share stories” and struggles amongst immigrants. This particular performance was dedicated to the youth fighting for the DREAM Act, and took place at the 2010 Fiesta del Sol. Making the introduction is Edy Dominguez, one of the 20 undocumented students [...]

Part of IYJL’s mission is to be a portal for sharing coming out stories from around the country. This one comes to us from Marcos, in Washington D.C. as he struggles to talk about his own identity while continuing to fight to reform our unjust immigration system. To have your own story published on our [...]

UPDATE: As of Thursday August 5th, we found out that Marlen was granted deferred action for one year. Thank you for all your signatures and faxes. This is a great victory that we must celebrate, but remember we continue fighting for the DREAM Act.  We can’t continue to fight case by case, but we will [...]

UPDATE: As of Thursday August 5th, we found out that Marlen was granted deferred action for one year. Thank you for all your signatures and faxes. This is a great victory that we must celebrate, but remember we continue fighting for the DREAM Act.  We can’t continue to fight case by case, but we will [...]