Bringing a dream to the capitol

Teenagers were everywhere at the State Capitol Tuesday—in the nooks and crannies of the buildings, down in the tunnels, in all the representatives' offices. Several hundred young people came to call on Governor Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers to increase educational access for immigrant youth.

Somali, Hmong, Korean, Latino and other students and supporters came, wearing black T-shirts that said, "I am the American dream." They came to ask for passage of the Minnesota Dream Act, legislation that would allow undocumented students who graduate from Minnesota high schools to pay in-state tuition at the state's public universities.

"I have a dream," said Juventino Meza, a junior at Arlington High School in St. Paul. "My dream is to go to a university and become a teacher, but it's really hard for me to fulfill this dream when I am being charged out-of-state tuition. My family can't afford to pay that."

Tuesday's action at the Capitol marked the third consecutive year that immigrant youth and community leaders have gathered to advocate for the Dream Act. The day began with a teach-in at Central Presbyterian Church, followed by a march to the Capitol and a rally on the steps.

After the rally, students fanned out to meet with legislators in their offices. Some also were scheduled to testify before the Senate Higher Education Budget and Policy Division, chaired by state Senator Sandy Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, a chief author of the Dream Act. The students packed the higher education subcommittee hearing room, some speaking and all hearing comments about "how great it is to see so many young people." Listen closely and you could hear some of the students whispering that what would be really great would be if they had the opportunity to become legislators themselves some day.

Carrying colorfully stenciled signs, students delivered petitions supporting the Dream Act to Pawlenty's office. Last session, Dream Act legislation was included in the omnibus education funding bill, but pulled when the governor threatened a veto.

Proponents say the Dream Act will build a stronger workforce by giving more young people access to higher education. It won't cost the government anything, but will actually increase revenues as it opens the door to more students enrolling in college.

"We are in this for the long run," said Stefani Calderon, a junior at Northfield High School. "Before, African-Americans were enslaved because of their skin color and today, our community is enslaved because of our immigration status. It took our brothers and sisters hundreds of years to free themselves from slavery and we, too, are ready to fight for many years for the rights of our immigrant people."

The day of action was organized by the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network and the Dream Act Coalition.

The Dream Act and other educational issues also will be discussed at a joint House-Senate hearing on education on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Rondo Education Center, Blue Atrium, 560 Concordia Avenue, St. Paul. The public is invited to speak at the hearing.