Undocumented DEAMer To Address DNC In Charlotte

Benita Veliz

27-year-old DREAMer to speak about her undocumented plight in the U.S.

By H. Nelson Goodson

September 5, 2012

Charlotte, North Carolina - On Wednesday, Benita Veliz, 27, from San Antonio, Texas and an undocumented immigrant will speak at the Democratic National Convention about her plight as a DREAMer in the country. Veliz is scheduled to address the Democratic delegates on primetime. She was brought to the U.S. from Mexico at the age of eight on a valid tourist visa, but expired a week later. 

Veliz graduated as a Valedictorian of her class at the age of 16 in Texas and at the age of 20, she graduated with a double major from St. Mary's University. She's been a DEAM Act advocate ever since congressional attempts to pass the DEAM Act failed.

The last several days, more than a dozen of undocumented immigrants have been arrested during staged protests against Obama's administration policies dealing with immigration. The immigration issue is now getting national attention with Veliz being the first undocumented immigrant to speak at the DNC and other undocumented immigrants staging protests outside the DNC.

Ten undocumented immigrants from Phoenix, Arizona were arrested on Tuesday around 4:00 p.m. when their Undocubus blocked traffic near the DNC. The bus labeled "No Papers, No Fear-Ride for Justice" also known as the Undocubus with 50 protesters left Arizona about six weeks ago.

The illegal protesters were later released and won't face deportation, according to Vicent Picard, Spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Obama has been the only president that has deported the most undocumented immigrants during his first four years in office and in U.S. history.

Currently, there are at least 65,000 undocumented students in the country. Recently, Obama introduced a Deferred Action for those students who qualify and can temporarily apply for work permits and stays.

President Obama would have to get re-elected to continue the Deferred Action policy for undocumented students in 2013.

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