Immigrant Youth Open "Dream Act Central" on the National Mall   ... back >
Dec. 13, 2017 - Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) joined immigrant youth for the opening of "Dream Act Central" tents on the National Mall.  According to United We Dream, "immigrant youth, families and freedom fighters of all backgrounds will descend on the nation’s capital over the next week and a half to press congress to pass the Dream Act before the end of the year. Dream Act Central will be home to trainings, art, fellowship, meetings with Members of Congress and invitation-only public events."  Activists are pressing for Congress to attach a clean Dream Act to the spending bil which must be acted on by Dec. 22 to avoid a partial government shutdown.  They are also getting their message out via a 22’ X 13’ LED "DreamActTron" put up yesterday on Third Street facing the Capitol.

Before Sen. Durbin arrived a group performed several holiday songs (see below).
Greisa Martinez, United We Dream's advocacy and policy director.

Sen. Durbin was an original sponsor of the DREAM Act  Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) back in 2001.

One of the holiday songs with Dream Act adjusted lyrics by youth from NAKASEC, Korean Resource Center (Los Angeles & Orange County) and HANA Center (Chicago):

Silver bells, silver bells
It’s voting time in the senate
Ring a ling, hear them sing
Soon it will be Dreamers Day

Senate Schumer
We ask of you
Let a clean bill be passed
Let it be with the spending bill now

Dreamers hoping
Dream Act Passing
Meeting objections loud ‘n clear
And on every street corners you hear

Clean dream act, Clean dream act
‘Tis what we hope for this season
Ring a ling, hear them sing
Let it be our year-end gift

Senate Schumer
We implore you
Let a clean bill be passed
Let our families spend the hol’days to-gether

Dreamers hoping
Dream Act Passing
Meeting objections loud ‘n clear
And on every street corners you hear

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