could it be???

???

only time will tell...

Dream Graduation Los Angeles!

hi folks! it is now 1:27 am and i am soooo tired but i couldn't go to sleep without sharing with you all the amazing experience we all had today at the DREAM GRADUATION outside of the City Hall...truly inspiring to say the least! I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us in this beautiful and just cause...THANK YOU!

my bf ♥ and I spent some time over the weekend making some posters for the marching students to carry around and they turned out to be amazing and mine was actually on the main podium!!!!!!! yay!


As soon as we got there we saw a large crowd getting ready to march around. The students looked sooo united and they had the most creative posters too! Our speakers included Kent Wong, Wendy Carillo, and Jose Huizar! They did an amazing job in touching on key points that alot of people ignore. It was also rather rewarding to see so many people come forward and tell their stories...it almost felt like family there because we could all relate and understand where these students were coming from, regardless of their cultural background. Alot of people who oppose the Dream Act generalize and believe it's only "the Mexicans" that would benefit from this piece of legislation...some people insult dreamers calling them ignorant and thieves - they claim we are stealing their culture and their rights, but really who is ignorant here? A mere 5 minutes of attendance to our event would have opened their eyes to see that nobody is stealing anything, but rather strengthening a broken society and enriching a devastated economy. Further they would have learned that it is not only "the Mexicans" that would benefit, but that there is a broader group of students including Asian, African, and Middle Eastern students to name a few....for those who were able to attend, I know you know what I mean and it was a great experince...for those of you who didn't...YOU MISSED OUT! BUT Dream Team L.A. will have more events to come! Be sure to stay tuned....










DREAM BIG!!!

OBAMA on Immigration...

...here we go again with the filthy dynamics of politics. The L.A. Times reported this morning that again, Obama has expressed his support for the immigration reform that more than 12 million people that are undocumented in the U.S. This is all good, but the true question is when? and how?

WHEN?!?!? What these politicians need to realize is that talk is cheap and we are all tired of waiting for something that clearly is no where in sight. In his speech, he spoke only vaguely on his support for immigration reform, but at no point did he mention a date or anything! While he has pressured congress to have something on healthcare by the fall, immigration seems to be still just a topic that comes up here and there...vague and with no foundation in the white house.

HOW?!?!?! Now Obama is supporting a notion that I find to be ridiculous and unrealistic. He said in his speech that he supports the idea of immigrants to return to their home countries and wait in "the back of the line" because he thinks it's the fair thing to do. Are you kidding me?!??! Many, if not most, of these immigrants have a life established here! The have rooted their existence in this country and most importantly, have contributed to this country vastly! THIS IS THEIR HOME COUNTRY!!! Plus, who are we kidding??!!? Once out of the U.S. it is a gamble of whether these people will EVER be granted what they deserve - their legal residency. I am by no means saying that they should legalize everyone, simply that they be more realistic and look at those people who have done something productive here in the U.S. and have had a good moral character. I fully understand the need for a tighter border control, but sending people back to countries they only have vague memories (mostly bad ones) of, that is just RIDICULOUS!!!!

With that said, ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST OBAMA? What happened to the promise of hope?!?!? Have you forgotten that already?!?!?!?

DREAM Graduation!!!

ok everybody, it's time to go out there and show our politicians that we are serious about our

dreams! Join Dream Team L.A. in this SUPER CRUCIAL event!!!

...come join us as we take one step closer to making our dreams a reality!!!

be sure to add us on facebook to keep updated on upcoming events as well!

you know that feeling...

...when you just can't find balance in your life? when you feel like all bad things happen and it's so hard to find the light at the end of the tunnel? yeah, well that's what I've been feeling lately. I know i've said this before but the office politics here at work just make me sick. the he said/she said dynamics and the ways in which "friendships" are formed here are just soooo political and racial!

last weekend i saw a baby kitten in the playground at the elementary school by my house. i noticed some kids were torturing the poor thing so i decided to take him away, but then realized that i was stuck in a dilemma: if i brought him home my little brother would get sick because he's allergic to cats and dogs but if i left him outside he was bound to die since he was tiny and clearly not ready to be on his own. on the other hand if i took him to the pound, he would likely be put to sleep, afterall there is an overpopulation of animals at our local shelters. i decided i would ask around to see if anyone wanted him. i tried two different people and their reactions were just sick. the first question was "what color is it?" when i said he was brownish with grey....they said nah, i like white cats...so then i said "well he's cute, and he has blue eyes". only when i said he had blue eyes did they consider taking him....but in the end, "no, it's ok. I've been looking around for a white fluffy cat". well i can say that both Chloe (the name i gave the kitty) and i apologize for not being white and meeting your standards... but then i'd be lying...we don't apologize. although lying would maybe buy me a ticket into the inner circle here in the world of politics at work...

Dream Team LA...

...not to be confused with L.A. Dream Team! LOL JK!!! anywho, for those who (like me) have been wondering why we don't have an actual Dream Act group here in L.A., you're questions have been answered!!! Finally we have what is called the Dream Team L.A., a group that will focus on finding strategies to push government to pass immigration reform and execute those strategies! We met for the first time to begin to form what will be known as the Dream Team L.A. I am sooo excited to be a part of this group. We talked about what our short term goals are, our long term goals, and our strategies. I was mostly thrilled to see the turnout - not only the numbers but the demographics and the bond that joins us all together, which is a very strong common goal that will hopefully soon be met.

all in all, yesterday was a good meeting, a great start! I cannot wait to see what the Dream Team L.A. will become! One thing is for sure...we are here now! Stronger than ever and super pumped! This is just the beginning...

you MUST attend...

the 2nd annual Immigrant Youth Empowerment Conference:"Reaching our DREAMs through ACTion 2009" on Sunday May 31st, 2009!

RSVP deadline is this friday, May 15th, so hurry hurry hurry! RSVP here.

Remember that now is the time for us to come together and let our voices be heard!!!!

XOXO

and we're back where we started...

...ugh. it's just one of those days where i feel like no matter how hard i work it's still not enough. we went to see my an immigration lawyer for my mom yesterday to see what options we have to stop her deportation. it turns out that just to re-open the case and start with the lowest court (the board of appeals, i think) we need to give $1750. up until that point i was like ok, well that's not TOO bad right? he continued by saying that after that it would go to the next court (im not too sure what court that is, with all the stress i am feeling right now my brain is not 100% functional) which would mean another $8000 roughly....WHAT?!?!?!? are you kidding me?!??! how can we ever come up with a sum like that...my mom is a single parent working for a wage that is not all that great....a wage that we have to stretch sooo much just make ends meet...and the ends still don't fully meet...my income is barely enough to help those ends meet even if its only by the slightest touch...at that point i was convinced that some miracle had to happen but that if we worked extremely hard we could do it....then he explained that this was just for the purpose of "buying time". because she already has a deportation we are just buying more time to see if a reform passes... although my brother petitioned for her about 2 years ago she doesn't qualify for her residency because she is missing the 245-i. but to make matters worse after that second court we would have to appeal to the 9th circuit....that's, drum roll pleaseee.....another $8000 ladies and gentlemen! i am convinced that we will need a miracle to happen for us to EVER have that kind of money....not to mention that this doesn't guarantee anything....we are just BUYING TIME remember?

this whole process would earn her another 2 years....2.5 if were lucky...and only if a reform were to pass would she ever have even the slightest chance to become legal in the United States.

sad huh? and very very UNFAIR.

i am on the hunt for a second job and praying to God that he makes something happen...

Calling all DREAMERS...

I realize that I haven't blogged in a while now, but it's only because I have been busy working on a very cool project that you all can take part in! I am working on a short Dreamer Documentary. I think that the more we get our stories out there the higher the chances are of the DREAM ACT passing...

I will begin interviewing people in the coming weeks and would like you all to consider being an interviewee! This will not only be fun but also it will put your voice out there and reach a mass audience. Please let me know if you are interested as soon as possible so that we can schedule something.

It is time we make a difference!

XOXO.

you can email me @ nancyaandrade@yahoo.com

Deported.

Last summer while I was still in school I took the School Newspaper course and it just so happened to be around the time that my mother was beginning to go through her immigration litigation. My professor thought it would be a good idea to document her court hearings. Below is the piece I wrote the day she was given the order of deportation:

“I don’t want to do this. You look like an honest person and I see you are a hard worker. Unfortunately the law is the law, and under it you are a criminal”.

The clicking of the typewriter, the sound of the fresh ink kissing the paper that would mark a sad and unfair destiny became increasingly overwhelming as I turned back to see the little boy with tears rolling down his eyes. This boy was Abel, 13, son of “Angie”, who had just been given an order of deportation by the immigration lawyer.

On the morning of July 10, 2008 Angie became just another number added to the hundreds of thousands of immigrants who have been deported back to their home countries, Abel, another American child whose future was now uncertain. The fact that “Angie” has been here for more than 20 years, working hard, paying taxes, and that she has children who are citizens didn’t stop her order of deportation.

“Angie” has until August 11, 2008 to file an appeal. If she chooses to file an appeal, she will join the thousands of illegal immigrants who are stuck in this messy battlefield that doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon. If she doesn’t, she will be returned to a country where she has not stability and where her future is uncertain.

My mother chose to file an appeal and continues to fight in this cruel, cruel war for justice.

Immigration Reform announced by Obama!!!

So it looks like Obama is finally addressing his Latino people! On the front page of the New York Times today, the Obama Administration committed to push comprehensive immigration reform this year!

While this is MAJOR news to us, it has come as no surprise that the opposing side is already giving us a fight to intimidate us and the politicians that support this just and necessary cause. With that said, it's up to US to make this happen! We too must put up a good fight (a civil/non-violent of course!) In other words you must join the tens of thousands of Americans in telling the President that you stand ready to support comprehensive immigration reform...

You can do that by sending your letter (it's even pre-laid out for you!) today! It only takes a few minutes and can make a lifetime change in so many lives. You can go to the following link:

http://americasvoiceonline.org/page/content/leadership/

Thank you so much!

Here it goes again.

I know you've seen this in a million different websites, but here they are again! The 10 Ways You Can Help the Dream Act!!!

1. CALL - Pick up the phone and call your Senator or Representative today. Dial 202-224-3121 or use the NCLR guide to be connected to your member of Congress and speak out in favor of the DREAM Act.

2. MEET Congressional Recess is happening NOW! That means from Apr 5th to Apr 19th, your congressional representative (Both House Rep and Senators) will be in town to meet people from their districts and hear issues that concerns them. Call and make appointments today - DO not be scared or nervous. Follow the guidelines here -http://dreamactivist.org/take-action-2/meet-with-your-senator-or-representative/ You have about 11 days! Hurry!

3. PETITION MAILING LIST Get on the mailing list by signing the petition -http://dreamact2009.com/ Over 7500 people have signed already. Leave a testimony, maybe even your own story, for the DREAM Act for ages to come!

4. EMAIL Change.org has a page to help you email your congressional representatives in support of the DREAM Act.

http://www.change.org/ideas/932/view_action/ask_your_congressperson_to_support_the_dream_act

5. FAX America's Voice has a page to help you fax your congressional representatives in support of the DREAM Act.http://americasvoiceonline.org/page/speakout/DaretoDream

6. SOCIAL NETWORKING Invite more people to DREAM Act 2009 - United We DREAM Facebook Cause now over 15,000 people and follow us on Twitter and even Myspace.

7. TEXT Text "Justice" ("Justicia" for Spanish) to 69866 to be alerted about the DREAM Act as it moves through Congress. FIRM's Mobile Action Network is an excellent way to stay connected and have maximum impact at just the right moment.http://fairimmigration.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/action-join-the-fight-for-immigrant-rights/

8. DONATE Thank you so much for your donations via Facebook Causes as well as donations@dreamactivist.org. Here, no one gets paid to work on the DREAM Act--we cannot afford ourselves. Hence, we are in need of funding for mass mailing, distribution, covering workshop costs, organizing on-the-ground, maintaining and updating the websites. Please keep them up and encourage your friends to contribute as well even if it is a $1 (1.0 unit) - http://dreamactivist.chipin.com/

9. STAY UPDATED Follow sites like http://dreamactivist.org/, http://undergroundundergrads.com/ and http://dreamact.info/ for the latest action and alerts on the DREAM Act. DreamAct.info hosts a forum for Dreamers and has actually formulated Info for Organizers, including Senate target lists. Check it out!

10. ORGANIZE The most important action for change comes from the grassroots.Here is an organizing manual that USSA has sent for DreamActivists on how to get a student club started to promote and pass the DREAM Act. Sample resolutions are available on our resources page.

I know it's a lot of information but it's a lot easier than it seems at a glance. Give it a try! It will make a difference!

And as always, don't hesitate to drop me a comment with your questions or concerns as I am always here to help!

XOXO.

A March for Justice...

I have never seen or experienced something as beautiful and fulfilling as I did this past Saturday. It was a beautiful sunny morning as I approached the corner of Broadway and Olympic. With my camcorder in tow and a camera in hand I was ready to document something so meaningful : my people excercising their right to be heard. It was a flag and sign frenzy.


As we turned the corner, we saw hundreds of people gathered, united and ready to march. Bright colors took over as flags from different countries flowed in the air. People of all ages, colors, and even dogs were out to show their support. I can't even begin to explain the excitement I felt to be there and take part of something so meaningful and necessary as we take on a very important year. This is the time to make something happen for so many people who day to day have to live in the shadows.




I was especially thrilled to see young students come out and make their voices heard as well. "Educacion y no deportacion" (education not deportation) was what they yelled as they marched, which is something that is ever so present today. Family separation, gifted students being sent back "home" to a place they barely know. It gives me so much satisfaction to see that at such a young age, these kids are coming out and taking a stand and making it happen!

The march was very calm and beautiful. No incidents took place and the police behaved. There were a couple of opposing groups trying to provoke the crowd but they weren't succesful as we were out there on a mission and not to fall into their vicious traps.

As we made our way down Broadway, more and more people joined, of all races including Asians, Anglos, and African Americans! It was beautiful to see such unity and support of a common human race. By the time we got to the convention center it was a multitude of energetic and inspired people. I have to say this was by far one of the most beautiful experiences in my 24 years of life! Thank you to all of those who made it out!


P.S. A short documentary of the event will be soon posted. Keep checking in for that!

XOXO

Photography courtesy of my boyfriend! Thank you love!

Immigrants and the broken economy. Disneyland.

Ok, so by now you are probably thinking: what the hell do immigrants and the economy have to do with Disneyland? They have a lot to do with eachother actually. My family and I took a family trip to Disneyland yesterday. As we arrived, we read the sign that read "lot full, make U-turn and exit". Great. We knew it would be a long day with long lines and crowded walking. As it turned out, the lot was not full! It was rather empty! We ended up parking about 2 blocks away at the Garden walk lot. I still don't know why they weren't allowing guests to park in their lot, but as it turned out, the park was also pretty empty. The longest wait for a ride was Indiana Jones with a 40 minute wait. 

It was 3 o'clock. We had been there for about 5 hours when I noticed something that caught my attention. There were hardly any latinos at the park. For the most part, all guests were caucasian and Asian. I told my boyfriend that I had noticed that and that it was very weird. He looked at me as if I was an idiot. I guess I can't blame him because afterall, Disneyland is the happiest place on earth and why would ANYONE be looking at things like the guest demographics? 

Well, the reason I noticed this is because taking this trip was a tough decision. My mom had been laid off for a few weeks and the only income coming in was mine. Still, we made the trip because my little brother is a child and doesn't understand what it is to be in a financial crunch, or what a broken economy does to families and the dynamics of everyday life. Throughout the whole day I think we only saw about 10 latino families! Of course the number goes up if you include the janitors cleaning the restrooms around the park. 

Discounts and promotions at the stores also caught my attention. Of the hundreds of times I've been to Disneyland I can count on my hands how many sale/discount signs I've seen at their stores.

But why am I even writing about this? Who cares right? Well I just think it's interesting to see what the economy has done to our country. To see that the population that is looked down on is what keeps such big enterprises going. Before thousands of  "immigrants" lost their jobs Disneland was always full! No sale prices were offered because it wasn't needed to make a sale. The immigrant dollar wasn't hard to get. But now? Where have these "freeloaders" gone? I guess we are not freeloaders afterall! And even the Disney empire will soon begin to see it, if it hasn't already.

The Dream Act WILL PASS!!!

Sooo, I haven't written on my blog in a looooong time but when I heard that the Dream Act will indeed be brought up in congress I knew I HAD to do my part and get the word out. If you havent heard, a campaign has been launched to petition, and in fact we have to DEMAND, that the Dream Act passes in 2009. You can go and sign the petition online!

http://dreamact2009.com/index.html

On top of that, you can collect physical signatures and mail it in to our friends at dreamact2009.com. Whatever the case may be or what may be convenient for you, we MUST get involved and make a difference. We have to make sure President Obama keeps his promise to help us out! Don't forget to tune-in to the Jay Leno show this Thursday! Hopefully he will say something about the Dream Act and Immigration Reform. The fact that he is the first President to appear on a show like this says alot. We all know late-night talk shows are known for asking the hard questions and President Obama is not afraid to face them! Let's make our voices heard.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090316/en_afp/entertainmentusobamapoliticstelevision_20090316203135

Until soon my friends!