City Wide Dream Act Campaign Initiated In Milwaukee

VDLF also campaigns to get thousands of registered voters to support driver licenses for undocumented workers

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 26, 2009

Milwaukee- Last Wednesday, September 23, an estimated 60 college and high school students gathered at the offices of Voces de la Frontera (VDLF), 1027 S. 5th St. in support of the national effort to pass the Dream Act. A city wide DREAM Act campaign kick off party event with Miss Mexican Fiesta, Erica Hernandez and information about the DREAM Act was provided at VDLF.
Youths enrolled in high schools and colleges from around the country held simultaneous actions in support of the Dream Act, which provides an immigration bill that would create a path to citizenship for undocumented students.
"Each year, more than 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, but because they lack immigration status, these students face uncertain futures," Melanie Benesh, Youth Organizer for VDLF wrote on a press release. In partnership with the United We Dream Network, a national volunteer led network of undocumented students and supporters like the Students United for Immigrant Rights (SUFRIR) a the youth chapter affiliated with Voces de la Frontera have organized a postcard drive at several local high schools and Universities, according to Benesh.
VDLF is also working on a community project regarding the Driver's Card. VDLF volunteers are contacting registered voters in the South side in order to gain support for the passage of Driver Licenses for undocumented workers in the State of Wisconsin. VDLF expects to raise at least 5,000 signatures of registered voters in support of driver licenses for the undocumented, according to organizers.
Last Year, Governor Jim Doyle removed more than 21 million dollars collected from renewal of state licenses earmarked to finance the Real ID Act. Doyle transferred the money to another account and the State of Wisconsin is not expected to implement the Real ID Act. Immigration rights activists say that since there is no longer any money for the State Department of Motor Vehicles to implement the Real ID Act, it should be repealed by state legislators in Wisconsin.
Voces de la Frontera announced a march and rally for Immigration Reform will take place on October 10th, as a national day of action. March organizers say people are expected to gather in front of Voces office at about 11:00 a.m. and shortly after begin marching accross the 6th St. Viaduct ending at Zeidler Park on 4th and Michigan.