Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America

On May 17^th, five heroic students, walked into Senator McCain's office in Tucson Arizona and participated in a sit-in asking Senator McCain to co-sponsor the DREAM Act and calling on Congress to move forward on passing the DREAM Act this year.  One of those courageous students is Chicago student activist, Tania Unzueta, co-founder of the Immigrant Youth Justice League.   Tania and other students traveled to Arizona to participate in this historic action, the first time that undocumented students have risked deportation as part of the immigrant rights movement.  This action is part of an escalation across the country and it is our responsibility as people of faith to respond to their call action and stand in solidarity with them and continue to struggle for immigrant justice. 

On Tuesday, May 18^th, Chicago New Sanctuary leaders participated in a solidarity press conference here in Chicago standing in solidarity with Tania and with the other students who participated in the action in Arizona. Click here to see a clip from the press conference.

Please join us Friday, May 21 at 6:30pm at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum (800 S. Halsted, Chicago, IL) for a student, youth-led community meeting on the "DREAM ACT: creating a new standard for immigration reform"

In Tania's words "I fight for the DREAM Act because I believe that undocumented youth deserve a chance. A chance to study, work, live, love, dream, and fight for a just immigration reform, in this country, our country without fear. This is what I'm willing to do. How will you step up?"

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

As the part of the faith community it is our responsibility to respond to the call of these courageous students.  Please call your Senator and thank them if they are a co-sponsor and if not ask them to co-sponsor today! Click here for details.

In the News:

Click here to read the press release

Click here for New York Times Editorial "Courage in Arizona" 5.19.2010

Click here for Democracy Now! Interview 5.20.2010

Click here to listed to interview with Tania Unzueta by Robin Young on "Here and Now"

Click here for more information on the DREAM Act

A Message from Tania Unzueta to Chicago Community

As many of you know, I am in Arizona at the moment. I, along with 4 other community leaders participated in a civil disobedience action. Some of you might have heard from various sources of what happened but I want you to hear from me, the why I, why we did what we did.

I am at a point where I feel like I really need to live my life undocumented and unafraid. I am tired of other people and the laws defining what I can or cannot do. It is time that we fight for our rights.

So, I am at a point where I have been fighting for the rights of undocumented youth since I was 17. And after surviving many of the frustrations that we are all familiar with: school, travel, work, fear, I find myself seeing the same story in the younger generations. It is time to escalate the movement, take risks (calculated strategic, and planned risks).

At the same time today in Arizona, we are witnessing blatant and egregious human and civil rights violations that not only affect our immigrant sisters and brothers but are a direct attack on family, education and community values. Arizona is not the standard for immigration reform.

I fight for the DREAM Act because I believe that undocumented youth deserve a chance. A chance to study, work, live, love, dream, and fight for a just immigration reform, in this country, our country without fear. This is what I'm willing to do. How will you step up?

Click here to show your support for Tania on facebook