DREAM Act now!

Alright, I don't have much time to write today, but thought I would post a message from an org here about the DREAM Act and the timing.
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Hi everyone - so there's a lot of frantic activity on the DREAM Act and it's been hard to keep up. Here's an update and action items that I hope are helpful:

The House will now likely vote first on the DREAM Act, as early as tomorrow (Thursday) or Friday. See article below for more info.

So PLEASE CALL YOUR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NOW and every day until they vote: Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and they'll connect you. The earliest vote will be tomorrow, the latest sometime next week.

It's been an extremely tough go in the senate, given the letter that Senate Republican sent pledging to block anything that comes up (see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113007532.html for info on the letter). A vote will still happen in the Senate, as early as Saturday (or even Friday, but that's doubtful), and as late as next week. SO KEEP THE CALLS UP TO YOUR SENATORS TOO every day until they vote. You can find their contact info at www.senate.gov or call 202-224-3121 as well.

If you want to go a step further, ask to speak with the "immigration staffer" when you call each office. You can also write a letter to the editor of your local paper (great resource for that at http://supportimmigrationreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/lettertoeditortoolkit.pdf), show up for an impromptu prayer vigil in front of your members' offices, and/or have a press conference to get the word out!

In terms of versions of the bill, there have been many versions filed, but it's still unclear which version will be voted on in either the House or Senate. Once we know we'll send more info.
Please let me or your other national contacts know if you have questions or need anything - additional DREAM resources also listed and linked below.

THANK YOU for all your hard work on this - the message is getting out - we just have to keep up the pressure to push DREAM to the finish line! Please pass on this information to your networks -

these next few days will be critical to getting as many calls in as possible and making it just a bad idea for anyone to vote against DREAM!

Immigration & Refugee Policy Church World Service
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DREAM Act Resources

General Resources

Background on the DREAM Act: Short introductory memo on the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/DREAM101

DREAM Act Talking Points: Five reasons to support the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/ReasonsForDream

DREAM Act Resources by State: A state-by-state guide to the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/DreamPacket

DREAM Act Editorials: Newspapers from around the country voice their support for the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/research/entry/editorial_boards_call_for_passage_of_the_dream_act

Analysis of Potential DREAM Act Beneficiaries: MPI report on the numbers of DREAM Act eligible people

http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/DREAM-Insight-July2010.pdf

Let Us Serve: Stories of DREAM Act eligible youth who are ready to serve in the Armed Forces

http://www.letusserve2010.org/

The DREAM Act and the Economy: IPC says the DREAM Act creates economic opportunities

http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act-creating-economic-opportunities

The Economic Potential of DREAM Act Beneficiaries: A report from UCLA NAID on the economic potential of DREAM Act beneficiaries

http://naid.ucla.edu/uploads/4/2/1/9/4219226/no_dreamers_left_behind.pdf

Diversity of Support for the DREAM Act

Senator Durbin Supports the DREAM Act: Senator Durbin voices his support of the DREAM Act

http://durbin.senate.gov/issues/leg_dreamAct.cfm

Senator Lugar Supports the DREAM Act: Senator Lugar voices his support for the DREAM Act

http://lugar.senate.gov/issues/dream/

Education Secretary Supports the DREAM Act: A letter from the Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, in support of the DREAM Act

http://amvoice.3cdn.net/a9140a1a0eea2e571f_gdm6bn1pb.pdf

Defense Secretary Supports the DREAM Act: A letter from the Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, in support of the DREAM Act

http://www.letusserve2010.org/news/view_news.php?id=6

Military and National Security Leaders Support the DREAM Act: Leaders in the military voice their support for the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/research/entry/fact_sheet_military_and_national_security_leaders

Passing the DREAM Act Would Benefit the Military: Members of military explain the importance of passing the DREAM Act

http://www.AmericasVoiceOnline.org/MilitaryDream

Conservatives Support the DREAM Act: Former IL Governor, President of Regent University, and others express support for the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/press_releases/entry/former_gop_governor_regent_university_president_other_conservatives_hi/

Polling on the DREAM Act

Majority of Americans Support the DREAM Act: Poll finds that 70 percent of Americans support the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceonline.org/index.php/polling/entry/70_percent_of_americans_support_the_dream_act

DREAM Act Enjoys Strong Support Across Party Lines: Majorities of Democrats, Republicans and Independents support the DREAM Act http://americasvoiceonline.org/index.php/polling/entry/voter_support_for_comprehensive_immigration_reform

Majority of Latino Voters Say Congress Must Pass the DREAM Act: Latino voters say it is important that Congress passes the DREAM Act soon http://americasvoiceonline.org/index.php/polling/entry/highlights_from_a_recent_poll_of_florida_latinos

Spanish-Language Resources

DREAM Act Editorials and Articles: Spanish-language content on the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceespanol.com/blog/archive/recursos_de_americas_voice_en_espanol_sobre_el_dream_act/

DREAM Act Talking Points in Spanish: 5 reasons to support the DREAM Act

http://americasvoiceespanol.com/blog/archive/cinco_razones_centrales_para_apoyar_el_dream_act/