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SALT LAKE CITY — The Monday evening press conference put on by a small group of supporters of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was about coming out of the shadows, about showing that these undocumented immigrants and their supporters were not afraid.
One of them, David Morales, gave a speech about his experience of being pulled from a bus en route to Lake Charles, La., where he planned to attend Oval Bible College and study to become a pastor. He was questioned by officers with the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and detained, later spending two weeks in jail.
"What ICE is doing is wrong," he said. "What I had to go through was wrong. (It is) wrong for any hardworking American to live through what I went through."
What ICE is doing is wrong. What I had to go through was wrong. (It is) wrong for any hardworking American to live through what I went through.
–David Morales, undocumented immigrant
He said he was told by ICE that if he spoke with the media, he would be deported and his family investigated. Despite giving a speech, Morales left immediately after giving the event, declining to answer questions or give further comments.
The DREAM Act, which was first introduced to the U.S. Congress in 2001, would provide a pathway to legal residency for undocumented immigrants who, among other things, entered the country before the age of 15, who were considered in "good standing" and pursuing degrees in higher education or serving in the military. The act passed the House in December of 2010, only to fail to reach the required number of votes in the Senate.
Raymi Gutierrez, the "Education not Deportation" campaign coordinator, said in an introduction that Morales entered the country when he was 9 years old. DREAM Act activist Diego Ibanez said Morales is currently pursuing his education.
- Must have entered the United States before the age of 16 (i.e. 15 and younger)
- Must have been present in the United States for at least five (5) consecutive years prior to enactment of the bill
- Must have graduated from a United States high school, or have obtained a GED, or have been accepted into an institution of higher education (i.e. college/university)
- Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of application
- Must have good moral character
Morales said he is still facing deportation, but is hoping the DREAM Act will allow him to stay and pursue his education and he encouraged those around the country who find themselves in a similar situation — a number he placed around 2 million — to join him. He said some already are.
"Many are rising out of the shadows and raising their voices and saying we will no longer stand in silence," Morales said. "We are undocumented, unafraid and unapologetic."
Morales was adamant that that he is "someone who wants to contribute to society" and said his undocumented status was something he had no control over. He said a "DREAMer" works twice as hard to honor their parents and to let them know "their sacrifice paid off."
He then offered a prayer before he and the others marched out, chanting: "Out of the shadows and into the streets."
They all declined to offer further comment, citing legal reasons.
Email:emorgan@ksl.com
