Fabiola Cervantes, Public Relations and Digital Content Manager
901.366.5882 x 106
fabiola@latinomemphis.org
Memphis, TN – Latino Memphis will host “The future of DACA, an analysis and panel discussion about the Dream Act” at the Halloran Centre from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m on Wednesday, November 15th to discuss the various versions of the Dream Act and provide a place for university presidents to come together and voice their support for the bipartisan bill.
As Americans, we prize diversity and inclusion in our universities, churches, workplaces, and communities. After the rescission of DACA, 800,000 recipients will be unable to work in their desired professions regardless of whether they obtained all the necessary training and will be at risk of deportation. There is a way to stand with the more than 800,000 DACA recipients. The clean version of the Dream Act of 2017 demonstrates a commitment not only to our values of diversity and inclusion as Americans but as our commitment as a country to provide others the opportunity to fulfill their American Dream.
Memphis’ higher education community is coming together to support these young people. Local universities understand the value of diversity and opportunity and will visually demonstrate they stand with current and future students. University presidents including those from Rhodes College, Christian Brothers University, Memphis Theological Seminary, and Southwest Tennessee Community College will all sign a letter asking Tennessee congressmen and senators to support the clean version of the Dream Act of 2017.
Jeanne Batalova, Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a D.C. based independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide will discuss the different versions of the Dream Act and present MPI’s comparative study, which offers detailed estimates of potential DREAM Act beneficiaries by age, education levels, gender, state of residence, and likelihood of gaining legalization as well as the impact it could have if approved.
“Passing a clean version of the Dream Act of 2017, one that is not paired with increased funds for systems that break families apart, would empower these young people to further contribute to our communities and nation as citizens of the country they call home,” said Gina John, advocacy coordinator at Latino Memphis.
Aside from an analysis of the Dream Act, there will be a panel discussion and Q & A with local leaders, immigration advocates, and local DREAMer Chantel Barcenas. Chantel is a freshman at Christian Brothers University and alumni of Latino Memphis’ college access program, Abriendo Puertas. There are 8,300 young people like Chantel in our state and Memphis’ higher education community is standing with them.
This event is being co-sponsored by Christian Brothers University, Memphis Theological Seminary, Rhodes College, and Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Latino Memphis has become the go-to organization for issues impacting the Hispanic community in the Mid-South and is the largest Latino-serving nonprofit in West Tennessee, connecting thousands of clients each year to needed services in the areas of health, education, and justice. Latino Memphis’ work is a collective approach that aims to create a vibrant Latino middle class in Memphis; a concept that will not only impact Latinos but the entire community.
