(Photo by Edgar Mendez)
In Milwaukee and across the country, young people gathered recently to show support for the “Right to Dream,” campaign, an immigrant-rights movement that organizers hope will result in passage of the DREAM Act. The Milwaukee event was held at the Voces De La Frontera headquarters, 1027 S. 5th St.
The DREAM Act is federal legislation that would provide legal residency for certain undocumented students who graduate from high school. The act would also allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition as well as federal and state grants to attend college.
Janeth Zorilla, who wore a symbolic cap and gown along with the other student demonstrators, is a junior at St. Thomas More High School who says she’s undocumented and worried about being able to afford college.
Janeth Zarilla, an undocumented student who aspires to go to college, speaks at the event. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
“There’s no way my family can afford $24,000 a year to pay for out-of-state tuition,” Zorilla said.
Zorilla plans to apply for scholarships that don’t have citizenship requirements to pay for college.
Jose Trejo, a teacher at the Advanced Learning and Academic Studies School in Milwaukee, told the group that he was born out of the country and brought to Milwaukee as a child.
“I was undocumented when I graduated,” Trejo said.
Trejo said that after a long process he finally obtained legal status and he wants the same for other students.
The students released balloons signifying their aspirations for a better future for immigrant youth in Wisconsin and across the country.
“I don’t want to let life pass me by without realizing my potential; I’m not tired of dreaming,” Zorilla said before the students released their balloons.
Edgar is a senior staff reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Mendez is a proud graduate of UW-Milwaukee, where he double majored in Journalism and Sociology, and of Marquette University, where he earned a master’s degree in Communication. As an accomplished journalist, Edgar’s awards include a 2018 Regional Edward R. Murrow award, several press club awards and a Society of Professional Journalists’ regional award for columns dealing with issues such as poverty, homelessness and racism.
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God Bless you all. You aspirations and dreams are what has inspired generations of immigrants to come to this country, building a foundation based on diversity and justice, and you are our present and future as we continue to build a country of just, diverse, and faithful people.