DREAM Act Supporters: Democrats Shouldn't Count On Us In 2012

WASHINGTON -- Six months after the Senate voted down a bill to provide legal status to some undocumented students, DREAM Act supporters are mobilizing for 2012, hoping to hold Democrats accountable for failing to pass the bill last year.

Immigration activists say they are tired of Democrats assuming they have support from immigrants, particularly after the failure of the DREAM Act in December. The bill, which would have provided paths to legal status to undocumented youth in exchange for two years of college or military service, failed to pass a filibuster in a 55 to 41 vote.

Five Democrats -- Sens. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Jon Tester (D-Mt.), Max Baucus (D-Mt.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) -- voted against the DREAM Act, while Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) did not vote on the measure.

"Since North Carolina is playing host to the convention, being shy of our criticism for the Democratic approach is not something we plan on doing," Domenic Powell, a member of the North Carolina Dream Team, a group of student supporters of the DREAM Act, said Thursday. "They're crazy to think that we're loyal to them at all."

Powell and other DREAM Act supporters in North Carolina pushed for Sen. Hagan to change her position on the DREAM Act after her "no" vote in December. Hagan had previously said she was unsure about the DREAM Act, but now says it should be included in comprehensive reform of the immigration system.

Still, he said immigration advocates are eager to show they are not beholden to the Democratic Party, particularly if politicians support policies such as expanding the enforcement program Secure Communities.

"We're not interested in being under any particular political tent," he said.

In Montana, home to two of the senators who voted against the DREAM Act, advocates are mobilizing against Sen. Tester to pressure him into changing his immigration stances.

"What we'd really like is to change his mind, but we know that it's going to take a lot for that to happen," Montana immigration attorney Shahid Haque-Hausrath told HuffPost on Thursday. "One of our major goals is for Tester to get the message that it's not going to be politically expedient for him to be raising immigration as a campaign issue."

Tester is up for reelection in 2012 against Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg, putting activists in the odd position of fighting against a Democrat who assumes he will get their support. Although they do not want Rehberg to be elected, they see it as important to send a message to Tester, Haque-Hausrath said.

In addition to voting against the DREAM Act, Tester also voted to take away funding from the Department of Justice to block it from challenging Arizona's contested immigration enforcement law.

"Rehberg's positions are certainly no better than Tester's," Haque-Hausrath said. "But they're also no worse."

DREAM Act supporters are also targeting President Barack Obama in his 2012 run, arguing he is partially to blame for the failure of the bill. Immigrant advocates called on Obama in May to stop referencing his support for the DREAM Act in campaign literature, arguing it is disingenuous as he still allows undocumented young people to be deported.

At Netroots Nation, a conference of progressive bloggers and activists, DREAM Act supporters said they plan to mobilize against Obama to show him he cannot take Latino and immigrant votes for granted in 2012 while continuing record-level deportations.

"Everybody is fighting for some method of accountability right now," Juan Rodriquez of the Florida Immigrant Coalition said from the audience of a panel discussion at Netroots. "I'm not going to allow myself, my family and my community to be used."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg's name.

Comments

[azlegalcitizen]

04:32 AM on 06/25/2011

I TOLD YOU SO. I knew obama was going to sneak in the dream act, and here is how he is doing so.
Obamas’ Illegal’s stealth DREAM ACT: I C E JUNE 24

TODAY I. C. E PUT FORTH THESE NEW GUIDELINES ON NOT
DEPORTATING ILLEGALS WHO ARE 'SPECIAL'
ILLEGALS MAY STAY, AVOIDING DEPORTATION IF

Illegal has any relative in us armed forces
Illegal is enrolled in ANY school
Illegal is IN ‘ ILL HEALTH’???? or has ‘disability’???

Illegal is PREGNANT OR NURSING
Illegal ALREADY HAS ANCHOR BABY

These nightmare instructions will guarantee 90 % of the illegals will be able to AVOID DEPORTATIONS AND SOON BECOME VOTING CITIZENS HERE. Obama is getting his new voters in time for nov 2012 even if his ignoring our immigration laws are IMPEACHABLE OFFENCE I TOLD YOU SOOOOOS.

[pene]

11:48 AM on 06/25/2011

beware tr0-ll

[Picosa]

01:37 PM on 06/19/2011

quote:
The 2012 presidenti­al campaign is already underway..­. in Mexico.
And, as in previous Mexican elections, US interests are all over it like a cheap suit.
The truth is Washington has always meddled in Mexican presidenti­al elections.

http://reflexioneslibertarias.blogspot.com/2010/08/nntv-al-gores-mexican-adventure.html

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/341919.shtml

http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/342179.shtml

Wikileaks reveals how the US meddles in South America

http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=11404

[Picosa]

01:36 PM on 06/19/2011

As long as Americans allow their leaders to steal the wealth of countries below our southern border, their people will be forced to follow it here.

The FBI and the DEA have offices in several Mexican cities. In February 2010, spokespeople for de facto president Calderón admitted that U.S. agents were active in Ciudad Juárez. The number of U.S. military contractors sent to Mexico has increased during Calderón’s administration. There are videos of contractors who have trained Mexican police taking part in the torture of prisoners. In 2008, U.S. involvement in Mexico took the form of that business enterprise called Blackwater. Exposed for its crimes against humanity in Iraq, it has changed its name to Xe Services. It came to “help” Calderón in his supposed war against the narcotraffic.

Five transnational corporations control the U.S. mass media for imperialist interests and say nothing or spread lies about the people’s uprisings in Mexico and the Mexican immigrants in the United States. This is because the U.S. government is focusing its sights on the rising Mexican opposition in order to gain greater control over Mexican oil, minerals, uranium, water, biodiversity, and immigrant labor. And it wants to keep immigrant labor cheap, and so aligns with the Mexican business elite and its government.

http://www.alternet.org/books/149489/what_are_the_u.s.%27s_real_motives_for_launching_a_drug_war_in_mexico?page=entire

[Francisco Canales]

08:50 AM on 06/19/2011

Fellow Americans, here is the list of corrupt politicians that we must retire in 2012. They are Pro- amnesty, the promoters of illegal immigration and sanctuary cities, they voided our immigration laws to protect the illegal immigrants.

http://www.wrhammons.com/voting-records-acu.htm

President Barack Obama

Feinstein of California
Carper of Delaware
Bill Nelson (D) of Florida
Akaka (D) of Hawaii
Lugar (Republican) of Indiana
Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland
Debbie Stabenow (D) of Michigan
Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota
Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri
Menendez of New Jersey
Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico
Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio
Sanders (Independent) of Vermont
Maria Cantwell of Washington
Herb Kohl (D) of Wisconsin
Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia
Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania
Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL)
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA)
Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Rep. Laura Richardson (D-CA)
Rep. Pete Visclosky (D-IN)
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA)
Rep. Don Young (R-AK)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Senator John Ensign (R-NV),
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY)
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).

Their terms end in 2012. and we must retire these SOBS.

[OntheBorder]

04:56 AM on 06/25/2011

Thanks for the list Francisco....You have it right. These elected representitives of We the People are for the most part Anti American, and committed to the destruction of the US as we know it.

I 2012 all of these corupt politicans that are voting in favor of illegal aliens at the expense of US citizens must be thrown out of office.

[Francisco Canales]

08:28 AM on 06/19/2011

Fellow Americans, OBAMA, THE DEMOCRATS, LA RAZA, MALDEF, MECHA, LULAC, THE HISPANIC CAUCUS, THE TEXAS HISPANIC CAUCUS, THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEARDERSHIP, AND THE PROMOTERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. do not speak for all the Latinos in the United States. Most Latinos love our country. We believe in our Constitution, our Sovereignty and our immigration laws, we come to this country legally, to be part of this United States, our loyalty can not be question by any one and we are not going to let the political power grabbers, to let the rest of the country believe that we are part of their organization. Today we the Latinos loyal to our only country, The Unite States of America, declare war to the traitors enemy's of our country.
La raza and the rest of the Mexican organizations, betray this country; the country that open his door and welcome them with the amnesty of 1986 to be part of America; these people has not loyalty they are the promoters of the invasion of illegal aliens and defenders of the corrupt politicians and criminals that are here in our country in violation of our laws.
Fellow Americans, thanks God we have in Washington politicians that care about the future of our country and we must support them.

[Francisco Canales]

08:11 AM on 06/19/2011

Fellow Americans, without a doubt we are being destroy by our own Government, We elected Obama and our officials to uphold our Constitution, our sovereignty and protect the citizens rights by upholding our laws. Attorney General Erick Holder and the whole US Dept. of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security from Secretary Janet Napolitano on down seem to be working for the Mexican government and the Hispanics special interest, not The American citizens who pay their salaries.
Please stand for our country and support, Lamar Smith's Employment eligibility Verification bill, send a letter or fax to your representative in Washington and your Governor asking to support this Bill. We must stop the traitors “OBAMA, LA RAZA, MALDEF, MECHA,LULA, THE WASHINGTON HISPANIC CAUCUS, THE TEXAS HISPANIC CAUCUS AND THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP" They are a threat to the US Latinos and to our country.

For more information about the Smith bill and its impact on workers, taxpayers, and businesses, see:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=75bce2e261405110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=1847c9ee2f82b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextoid=1914c9676d006110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD

http://www.hstoday.us/single-article/supreme-court-upholds-arizona-e-verify-law/3737268b28e9346acd29a57e42f7fc1b.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Verify

[e-mail]

[terris1961]

01:49 PM on 06/18/2011

I do not Support the Dream Act never have never will. As an illegal immigrant you're not entitled to anything...So lets have the same law in Mexico applied here. For an American to live in Mexico you must put 250k into one of there banks and buy a house. That same law should be applied here....I think it's only fair.

[El Californio]

05:01 PM on 06/18/2011

No true. To immigrate to mexico all you need is to show you have a income of $1,000 per month. A copy of your last three months bank statements is enough. No house purchase is required. There is plenty on the net to find out the details. Here is just one link http://rollybrook.com/how_to_move_to_mexico.htm

[therightzwrong]

04:04 PM on 06/19/2011

Well then, there ya go. Let the same rules apply. My feelings are that the illegals now in this country should be granted citizenship immediately. Once naturalized they could begin paying taxes and acquiring their own piece of the American pie. My conditions would be..
1. No eligibility for social security, medicare or disability until there are 25 solid years of employer/employee work history.
2. No medicaid, no social services to naturalized citizens for 5 years after naturalization. (if we cant go to your country and suck off your tax payers, then you shouldnt come to ours and suck off ours)
3. ENGLISH must be the language except in the home, just like our ancestors did.
The flood gates must be closed.. all other developed countries have strict immigration controls and we should to. The immigrants and their families are hurt just as much as American citizens are by not being able to become legal. We need those tax dollars and they need a decent life. We can do this.. Everyone has to play by the books. No one is right now, not the illegals, not the employers. Then as usual, it's the middle class paying the bill while the employers pass on their payroll taxes.

[Picosa]

01:21 PM on 06/19/2011

The KKK misinformed you because they spread lies about Mexicans and Mexico. I do agree Mexicos immigration laws should be applied here because theirs are not so savage.

Digital Immigration Card Shows Mexico's Progressive Views on Immigration

MEXICO CITY – While Washington is at an impasse over the status of millions of people who entered the United States without proper visas, Mexico is unrolling a new digitally-embedded immigration card that will allow hundreds of thousands of temporary workers and visitors to come and go at will. This migratory card, in addition to having the bearer’s photograph and fingerprints, has electronic chips that can be scanned – facilitating the movement of people across Mexico’s borders.

http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=083e0b4728d31cd23a57533cf02c46c5

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080722_11_A6_Ilglim153913

[nasknit]

04:22 AM on 06/25/2011

You're talking about temporary workers & visitors. WE are talking about ILLEGAL ALIENS. Do you know the difference between the two?

[terris1961]

01:45 PM on 06/18/2011

I do not support the Dream Act never have never will.....If your here illegally your not entitled to anything. I think the same law should apply here as it does in Mexico. If you want to live here put 250K in a bank and buy a house. I think it's only fair....And if you cross into this country illegally your shot on site..We don't gather you up and send you back.

[alpina]

04:15 AM on 06/18/2011

First, you need to insert the word "illegal" in front of immigration where it appears in this article to be accurate. Secondly, GOOD! Don't vote for democrats...or republicans. Too much pandering is already going the way of the illegal caucus on the notion that politicians can wear us down until they can get amnesty passed and then trade citizenship for votes.

[Misanthropical]

03:25 AM on 06/18/2011

I wonder how much Latino and Hispanic organizati­ons and people would support the DREAM Act and letting illegals stay if it was people from Africa who would mostly benefit from it?

[nasknit]

03:54 AM on 06/18/2011

Not much- I'd bet money on it! And, for all the ILLEGAL ALIENS Who think WE, the American people, should do something "special" for you: What part of ILLEGAL don't you get?

[Misanthropical]

04:34 AM on 06/18/2011

Does that mean they are being every bit as racist as they accuse others of being?

[Misanthropical]

04:38 AM on 06/18/2011

Aren't they being racists by only defending other Latino and Hispanics who are breaking our laws?

[JohnnyAce Okeke]

03:16 AM on 06/18/2011

The Latino population is ready to withdraw their support for President Obama next year until he does what they wish. Meanwhile, Black people will blindly support this man regardless of how LITTLE he has done for them. Black people's altruism WILL be the end of us if we don't shape up NOW. {{-_-}}

[spytheweb]

06:02 PM on 06/19/2011

I get it, black people voted for him (94%) because he's black? Then why did 95% vote for Gore? Because he was white? 44% of whites voted for him too, was that because he was half white?

I won't vote for a republican because they want to kill social security and medicare, privatize everything they can, destroy unions and support the rich. 37% of Hispanics don't want to give illegals citizenship and are in favor of deportations. The Hispanic vote is only 7.4% of the total vote and with that 37% against that makes it 5.4% in favor of illegals. So Latinos go ahead and vote for republicans who want you out of here even faster, not too smart.

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

10:14 PM on 06/17/2011

Talk about an idle threat. What are they going to do? Start thier own party? I think Ralph Nader and Al Gore would be perfect consultants on how to elect a Republican. I hope they do it.

[ShanaJuly]

07:49 PM on 06/17/2011

Yep all you Dream Act supporters just keep on supporting those republicans and you will get ALL of your wishes for a dream life in this country...DREAM ON...

[Kurfco]

07:18 PM on 06/17/2011

Comprehensive Immigration ENFORCEMENT is becoming a bi-partisan push. It's about time! Dream on.

[Kurfco]

07:16 PM on 06/17/2011

It would suit me just fine if illegal aliens and their enablers were not able to find representation in either party.

[Soule23]

08:28 PM on 06/17/2011

If you want a totalitarian state where some have rights and others do not, go elsewhere.

[nasknit]

03:57 AM on 06/18/2011

No, darling- It's called if you're an ILLEGAL ALIEN, YOU are ILLEGAL!!! Just what part of the ILLEGAL do you not understand?

[spytheweb]

06:10 PM on 06/19/2011

Fifth Circuit Suggests Undocumented Immigrants Have No Fourth Amendment Rights

15 June 2011

"Several constitutional amendments refer to rights that belong to “the people.” The Second Amendment refers to “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms.” The Fourth Amendment provides that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” According to a sharply divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, this choice of words means that undocumented immigrants have no Second Amendment rights and may also not be able to invoke the Fourth Amendment’s shield against illegal searches and arrests"

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/06/15/245270/fifth-hates-on-fourth/