In Support of the Dream Act of 2019
May 20, 2019
Dear Loyola Community,
We write to you in a time of frustration, fear, and confusion as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is challenged by Trump’s Administration. We also write to you in a time of hope, as Illinois Senator, Dick Durbin and South Carolina Senator, Lindsey Graham have introduced the DREAM Act of 2019 on May 16, 2019. This bill would allow these young people who were brought into the U.S. as children, referred to as Dreamers, the opportunity to gain lawful permanent residency and a path to citizenship.
Karla Robles, a friend of ours, a highly respected Loyola community member, and a DACA recipient, has always been a strong advocate for Dreamers. Karla recently graduated and while at Loyola was an Orientation Leader, an SGLC senator, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, participant on Loyola Club
Tennis, an intern at Illinois Senator, Durbin’s office, a member of Americorps, worked as a parent liaison for an elementary school, started a tutoring program for 4-6th graders, and worked with the DREAMers club at Roosevelt high school. Thanks to her experience and DACA, next year she’ll be working at Paletine high school as a Spanish teacher and tennis coach. In addition to her extensive experience, Mario and I know Karla to be an altruistic and unapologetically hard worker. She says, “Right now I have DACA and it has allowed me to have these different opportunities. I am now continuing to advocate not only for myself and my family, but also for my students and their families.” This is one of the many reasons why we, as SGLC, stand in support of the Dream Act of 2019.
All students, regardless of national origin, citizenship or documentation have a past, present, and future on our campus. Empathy, a value of Catholic Social Teaching and a pillar of our Jesuit education, is at the heart of this debate and it should be at the forefront of our every action. As leaders of the Student Government of Loyola Chicago, we stand with the undocumented peers of our community. To any and all undocumented students at Loyola, Arrupe, Stritch, or any other Jesuit institution in this country: you are seen, heard, and welcomed on our campuses.
Educate yourself. Take action. Do your part. Organize, empathize, be vocal, and contact your representatives to let them know that you support the DREAM Act of 2019.
In Maroon and Gold,
Kathleen Meis and Mario Guerrero | kmeis@luc.edu and mguerrero4@luc.edu
President and Vice-President of the Student Government of Loyola Chicago (SGLC)
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