UPDATE 9:00am Saturday | The United States 

Senate on Saturday failed to move the Dream Act forward on a 55 to 41 procedural vote. 60 votes where needed to move forward. Long Beach City Councilmembers and several community organizations released a statement this morning that they will move forward with their press conference on Saturday in support of the DREAM Act.
 
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act known as the DREAM Act would have provided a more accessible path to citizenship for undocumented residents who complete college or serve in the military. The DREAM Act passed the House earlier this month by a vote of 216 to 198.
 

1:41pm Friday | Long Beach City Councilmembers and several community organizations will hold a press conference on Saturday in support of the DREAM Act, which would provide a more accessible path to citizenship for undocumented residents who complete college or serve in the military.

Councilmembers Robert Garcia, Patrick O’Donnell and Steve Neal will host the press conference and “Day of Action” at 10:00am Saturday at the 727 Pine Avenue office of Centro CHA, an organization working to improve low-income, underserved Latino communities.

“The DREAM Act provides an opportunity for young immigrants in college and in the military to begin a path to American citizenship,” said Garcia. “Becoming an American citizen was the greatest honor of my life, and I am hopeful these young students and soldiers will get the same chance that I did.”

The Long Beach City Council unanimously voted to support the DREAM Act in October.

“As a teacher and a parent, I have seen first hand the despair of young immigrant students who have had to hide in the shadows while they try to complete their education in this country,” O’Donnell said. “These are students whose only goal is to fully live out the American dream through their educational achievements.”

Along with the councilmembers and Centro CHA, other groups expected to participate include the California State Student Association, Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, the Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization, Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Economy, Future Underrepresented Leaders, Stevenson Elementary School Community Leadership Institute Alumni, Long Beach LAMBDA Democratic Club, and the Long Beach Democratic Club.  

“The DREAM Act is very important to us because we support an educated class of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our society,” said Jessica Quintana, Centro CHA Executive Director. “I really commend Councilmembers Garcia, O’Donnell and Neal for hearing the students’ voices and elevating them even higher.”


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