APALA Applauds Labor Movement for Support of DREAM Act

Monday, March 22, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Malcolm Amado Uno

Phone: 202-508-3733

Email: muno@apalanet.org

Washington D.C. - APALA applauds the U.S. labor movement for their support of the DREAM Act, bi-partisan legislation that would create a pathway to naturalization for undocumented youth and students.  AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, American Federation of Teachers Secretary-Treasurer Toni Cortese and National Education Association Vice President Lily Eskelsen headlined a press conference to support the DREAM Act, as part of a broader effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform.

"As a member of the American Federation of Teachers, I am proud that the American labor movement has decided to stand in solidarity with undocumented students by supporting the DREAM Act," said John Delloro, APALA National President and Executive Director of the Dolores Huerta Labor Institute.

Currently, there are more than two million undocumented immigrant youth and students throughout the country, including large numbers of Asian immigrants.  Each year approximately 65,000 undocumented immigrant students graduate from U.S. high schools with fewer prospects to realize economic stability.  These young people had no control over the decision to immigrate to this country, and for many, this is the only country they have ever known.

"Unless there is a change in immigration law, these young people will forever be relegated to a life in the underground economy," said Malcolm Amado Uno, APALA Executive Director.  "Furthermore, the DREAM Act would assist our country by allowing college educated youth the opportunity to work in their chosen profession."

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) is bipartisan legislation that will provide a path to legal status for individuals brought to the U.S. as children.  Students with good moral character who came to the U.S. at age 15 or younger and have lived in the U.S. for at least five years before the date of the bill's enactment would qualify for conditional permanent resident status upon acceptance to college, graduation from a U.S. high school, or being awarded a GED in the U.S.  The conditional status will be lifted if the student completes at least two years of college or serves in the military.

The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO was founded in 1992 as the first and only national organization for Asian Pacific American union members to advance worker, immigrant and civil rights.