What do Relief, Reform & Respect mean to you?

Originally posted at the Reform Immigration For American Blog

Right now, 1,100 people are deported every day under the Obama administration – an all time high for deportations in the past 10 years.

Each person deported represents a family separated, a community suffering and a dream deferred.

On September 15th people of faith and community leaders will gather in DC to carry with them the stories of these families and of their own communities suffering. That day, they will call for Relief, Reform and Respect.

We deserve RESPECT as human beings.

We demand RELIEF from immoral deportation policies

We are determined to achieve real immigration REFORM for America.

We want to represent YOU in Washington, DC on September 15th. What does Relief, Reform and Respect mean to you? Tell us in the comments.

And then share this with your friends on Facebook and Twitter to see what Relief, Reform and Respect mean to them too.

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DREAM Act Would Strengthen U.S. Economy

Salem, Ore.--Yesterday, Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) reintroduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. They were joined in support by a group of Senators and Representatives from both sides of the aisle.

The DREAM Act would restore states' rights to determine residency requirements for in-state tuition and establish a path to legal status and eventual citizenship for undocumented youth. This would address significant barriers to the success of hardworking immigrant students who were brought to this country at a young age and desire to fully contribute to American society.

"This bipartisan bill is a crucial part of the kind of real, comprehensive immigration reform our country needs right now to get back on its feet and restore justice to our laws" said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA. "The Dream Act would strengthen the economy down the line by making sure that students educated in American schools can give back to the system through their hard work, service, and taxes."

CAUSA, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Coalition, joins with Immigrant Rights and Education Advocates from across the nation in calling on Congress to swiftly pass the DREAM Act. America is a country founded on the values of inclusiveness, shared responsibility and shared sacrifice. Our immigration policies must reflect our values. The DREAM Act and just and humane immigration reform should be part of any plan to restore America and the American Dream.

To send a message to your Senators and Representative asking them to support the DREAM Act, please visit CAUSA's Action Center by linking here.

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