Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

The Paisano

Dream Act Now! protest continues for another week

It has been 13 days since the Dream Act Now! protesters at UTSA began their hunger strike and many of the strikers are still holding on strong to hopes for the Dream Act to be passed soon by Congress.

The Dream Act is a piece of legislation that will provide certain inadmissible or deportable undocumented students who graduate from a United States high school, who are of good moral character who, arrived in the U.S. as minors and have been in the country for at least five consecutive years the ability to earn permanent residency in the U.S. if they either pursue two years in the military least complete at least two years at a four year institution of higher learning.

The UTSA protestors are urging Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to lend her support to the Dream Act with constant calls to her office and supporters writing letters. In 2007, when the Dream Act was reintroduced into Congress, Hutchison gave her support to the bill but has since then repealed her support, giving vague reasons for her lack of support.

On Nov. 10, 16 members of the Dream Act Now! Campaign began a hunger strike; today six are still fasting in hopes of getting the Dream Act to pass.

 “The students are constantly drinking water and juices in order to keep hydrated, but other than that we are still holding on strong,” William Wise, media coordinator said.

Although the strike has been going on for only a couple of weeks, protesters urge the public that they will not give up and will protest during the holidays if need be.

“We will not be here during Thanksgiving and finals only if the Dream Act passes,” Wise said.

Overall, students continue to be hopeful that the Dream Act will pass.

“We will always have high hopes for the Dream Act. It’s a struggle that won’t quit until the potential of the undocumented youth is fully meet,” said Wise.

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