St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Waldron hosted a DREAM Act Retreat March 10 where people could learn more about the potential legislation that affects the future of many youth in the community.
Teens, college students and adults attended the day to learn more and what they can do to support the proposed federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.
“It’s kind of a marvelous thing how this day came together. I’ve been working with our teens. They expressed an interest in doing advocacy and something concrete,” said Kathy O’Brien, pastoral administrator and director of religious education. “It’s their lives and their friend’s lives that are at stake. Justice is a commitment of the Church. We need to do something more than talk about it.”
The DREAM Act addresses the problem faced by the children of illegal immigrants who came to this country before they were 16 years of age.
Once they graduate high school, their future is bleak. They cannot legally work. They cannot drive, as they cannot get a driver’s license. They cannot attend college in many places, and in others must pay double or triple the normal tuition rates. Some states have enacted their own DREAM Act legislation, although Arkansas has failed to pass it twice.
The DREAM Act makes it possible for students who have grown up and graduated high school here to earn legal resident status by attending college or serving in the military. They must meet certain conditions, including demonstrating good moral character and no criminal arrests, and continue to do so for at least 10 years before obtaining permanent residency status.
Some students who attended the day face an unknown future without passage of the DREAM Act, while others came to learn how to help them and others they know affected by this issue.
“If you take away all hope from a young person, there is no incentive to finish school. I’ve had kids turn to me and say ’What hope is there for me?’ Without hope, they have no reason not to turn to gangs, to deal drugs or to take drugs. Their friends feel it is totally unfair. Our teens are in support and solidarity with these kids,” O’Brien said.
In some families, there are children with documents and others without because they were young children when their parents came to America and their brothers and sisters were born here.
“These are good kids who have done everything right, but because of where they were born, they’re facing no future. These kids don’t mess around. They work hard. They have done nothing that they could be accused of doing illegally, like driving as they can’t get a driver’s license.”
During the retreat, they watched and discussed the documentary, “Gospel Without Borders,” which features Bishop Anthony B. Taylor and other religious leaders and explores the issue of immigration from a faith-based perspective. It profiles Christians who are living the Gospel message when it comes to treating immigrants as brothers and sisters in Christ.
“Biblically, it provides information to people how they should treat their neighbors as equal. There’s no such thing as a human being, being illegal. You have to see it with an open mind, see it without borders. We are all brothers and sisters,” said a high school senior who came to the retreat to learn more about the DREAM Act, which personally affects him.
Bert (whose name is withheld to protect his privacy) came to America as a child of 4 or 5 years of age. He lived about a year in California before moving to Arkansas. He had no choice in the matter, and now is paying the price.
“I don’t remember anything about my home country. I am confused because I don’t belong there and sometimes not here either. This is my home. This is all I know,” he told Arkansas Catholic. “We did not make the decision to come here. Our parents decided for us because it would be better for us. We grew up in this country. I see myself as an American. I, like any other American teenager, have dreams. I want to serve my country in the best way I can. Yet, I can’t. I shouldn’t pay for it. I should have a future. I work hard in school. I’m responsible. I show good citizenship and help others.”
The retreat gave him and others new hope for the future — one that they are committed to make a reality.
“We have the potential to do great things. If something is not done, we will never achieve our dreams,” Bert said.
As part of the retreat, they drafted an action plan, O’Brien said, and formed a group to advocate and educate others, choosing the name Waldron Arkansas Dreamers.
“Before, I was afraid to speak out. My church experiences have made me grow as a person and as a leader. When youth put a lot into something, amazing things can happen. We want to spread the word on what you can do to help,” Bert said.
He hopes to study business in a four-year college.
“I’m bilingual, so I want to use the skills I have in the community to increase business and create more jobs for people locally. My dream is to own my own business one day. Not only would I open up jobs, I’d be a leader in the community,” he said. “It’s kind of impossible at the moment the way things are.”
He’s been accepted to college, but his parents are unable to help him financially with tuition. He is looking for scholarships and will have to take it slowly.
“I can’t give up because this is my dream. I tried hard all 12 years of my school life to go to college. It’s hard for me,” he said. “Now, I’m not feeling alone in this and that helps.”
What also helps, he said, is that the Catholic Church and Diocese of Little Rock is advocating for justice for immigrants.
“I feel very proud to be Catholic and really glad that my own Church is taking big steps in speaking out about this,” he said. “I feel like I’m not ignored, especially in my own religion. They will stand with me.”
