By CMSC staff, November 2, 2017
LONG BEACH, Calif.- On Saturday, October 28th, the CMSC successfully brought together alumni from the California Mexico Dreamer Study Abroad Network from throughout the state as well as members from outside of California to express concerns, views and to advance in next strategic steps towards Dreamer legislation and litigation. Peter Schey, a prominent constitutional law attorney and president of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law; gave a powerful presentation on his Dreamer legislation and litigation project.
The CMSC has joined Peter Schey on this project and we urge you to read his proposed strategy for Dreamer-sponsored legislation.
Peter Schey's Dreamers' Legislation and Litigation Proposal, Oct. 28, 2017
Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law
256 South Occidental Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Telephone: (213) 388-8693 - Facsimile: (213) 386-9484
DREAMERS MUST BE LEADERS:
A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR DREAMERS VICTORY
Presented at the California-Mexico Dreamers Network Summit
By Peter A. Schey, CHRCL Executive Director
October 28, 2017
During the past 10 years, DREAMERS have achieved visibility and wide public discussion only because they acted as leaders, when everyone else in the national immigration debate wanted them to take a back seat to comprehensive immigration reform; even when it should have been obvious to everyone that comprehensive immigration reform had become virtually impossible once the Republican’s took over the House in November 2010 during Obama’s first term in office.
Everyone let down the DREAMERS. Don’t just blame President Trump. The beltway immigrants’ rights groups advocating for comprehensive immigration reform long after it was obvious this had become an impossible goal (unless we agreed to massive enforcement increases), pushed the DREAMERS to the side claiming that advocating for legislation for the DREAMERS would “distract” from comprehensive immigration reform.
The Democrats in Congress did nothing for the DREAMERS before the 2010 election when the Republicans took over the House. The Republicans up to now have done nothing for the DREAMERS. The DREAMERS have only accomplished what they have over the past decade by leading themselves.
Now more than ever before DREAMERS must again lead, not follow. There are two areas in which they must lead:
- DREAMER drafted and sponsored legislation:
The LIFE Act of 2000, which we helped draft as the benefits went to 250,000 class members in two of our cases, is the best model for DREAMER sponsored legislation. Of course, there are several bills already pending in Congress, but nothing will get the attention the issue deserves more than a DREAMER-sponsored, simple, effective and fair DREAMER bill in Congress. A DREAMER authored bill will result in a range of organizing activities:
- Press conferences to roll out a DREAMER-written bill;
- A nation-wide campaign to get faith-based leaders, union leaders, city councils and county boards, state governments, churches and labor unions, colleges and universities, faculty and student organizations, community-based organizations, etc., to endorse a DREAMER-written bill;
- Visits to Congress by DREAMERS and those who endorse a DREAMER’s bill to advocate for its passage;
- Op-ed pieces in newspapers throughout the country written by DREAMERS in support of the DREAMER sponsored legislation;
- Rallies and town hall meetings to discuss and in support of the DREAMER sponsored legislation.
B, DREAMER-led class action litigation
Several local and state entities have filed lawsuits to protect DREAMERS from Trump’s decision to end the program.
It is time for DREAMER groups to gather together and initiate their own litigation with experienced federal litigators and the support of major national law firms. DREAMERS should not rely on a handful of state governments or educational institutions to protect their interests. These groups have political influences that will drive their agendas.
It is time for a large number of DREAMER’s, advocates and groups to join together to pursue federal class action litigation to protect themselves.
Source: By Peter Schey & CMSC staff, November 2, 2017
