Fasting for a DREAM

Their parents work the worst jobs in the country, their classmates go home to nice suburban houses and on to college and comfortable careers.

But the undocumented children in Kentucky and the nation deserve better than to be discarded, and in Lexington they have support.

From the Herald:

Embracing the slogan, "Education not Deportation," 25 people are fasting in Lexington in support of a federal bill that would let undocumented immigrant children earn permanent residency by attending college or serving in the military.

The people participating in the 65-hour fast, which has taken place at Bluegrass Community and Technical College's Cooper Campus since Friday, are trying to gain the support of Kentucky's Congressional delegation for The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. Called the DREAM Act, it would grant temporary resident status to children who entered the United States before their 16th birthday, have lived here for five years, have graduated from high school and have good moral character. Those affected would be able to receive financial aid in the form of student loans, obtain authorization to work, and get a driver's license.

"The DREAM Act is a win-win for both the children who are caught up in the mess of immigration and our communities," said Erin Howard, vice president of Educating Latinos for Kentucky's Future. "A more educated community means more economic prosperity and more tax revenue for our state. Our communities invest in the K-through-12 education of these youth. It only makes sense to provide for them a fair path to legalization so they can give back to the communities they call home and love."

About 500 undocumented immigrant youth graduate from high school in Kentucky each year with little or no opportunity to go to college or serve in the military, the organizers said.

"These children have grown up in our communities and have adopted the language, values and culture of the United States as their own; they have been educated in our schools and want very much the opportunity to contribute to their community," said event organizer Rogelio "Roy" Roman, a BCTC sophomore.

The fast will be broken at noon Monday at an event at Lexington's Applebee's Park.

Luz Farias, a nurse who was born in Mexico but became a U.S. citizen and graduated from school here, said students who would be helped by the DREAM Act want to give back to the United States. "It's not just Latinos, not just Hispanic. It's every child brought to the United States" without documentation, Farias said. "They do not know any country but this country."

If you're in Lexington, join them to end their fast at noon today. If not, call or email your members of Congress and tell them a great nation welcomes everyone willing to work for her.