Today many San Antonians learned for the first time from the Express News that a former Jefferson High valedictorian and graduate of St. Mary's University, Benita Veliz was in danger of being deported. Though she has succeeded in the US, she was brought here at the age of six without gaining admission from the INS. She had succeeded despite the many burdens that have been put upon such immigrants in the past decades.
Following a routine traffic stop, her immigration status was revealed and now she faces deportation. One hope for her and thousands of other young men and women is the Dream Act.
The Dream Act ‒ introduced by Senators Richard Durbin of Illinois and Richard Lugar of Indiana and Rep. Howard Berman of California and Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida‒ can solve this growing problem. Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, undocumented young people could be eligible for a conditional path to citizenship in exchange for a mandatory two years in higher education or military service. Undocumented young people must also demonstrate good moral character to be eligible for and stay in conditional residency. At the end of the long process, the young person can have the chance to become an American citizen.
According to the Dream Portal, a website devoted to encouraging passage of the act, Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson is undecided on the act while Senator John Cornyn is opposed to it. If you support the passage of this act please contact our senators. According to the portal 53 senators are now in favor of the act. They believe that 60 votes are needed in order to overcome the now routine tactic of the filibuster.
If you are on Facebook you may also want to take a look at the "Don't Deport Benita Veliz" group.
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