Marchers want legality for undocumented teens

Dozens of college students, many in graduation gowns and caps, marched from Valley High School to University of Nevada, Las Vegas, on Friday afternoon in support of legislation that would give undocumented young people a path toward legality.

"I've heard the stories about people who couldn't go to college because of their status," said 19-year-old Irina Barrera, a UNLV sophomore majoring in women's studies. "They were brought here (to the United States) by their parents. They had no choice."

Participants hoped the "March for the DREAM" would drum up interest and support for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act for short.

The DREAM Act would allow undocumented immigrants who came to the United States with their families at age 15 or younger, and who plan to attend college or join the military, to move toward legality.

Supporters say it will help children who have grown up in the United States, have assimilated into American culture and may have few memories of their countries of origin.

Many of Friday's marchers said they had family members or friends who would benefit from such legislation.

The DREAM Act failed last year when the Senate voted 52-44 in favor of it. Sixty votes were needed to advance the proposal.

Opponents argued the bill would put people on a path to citizenship even if they were living in the country illegally, amounting to a type of amnesty.

But supporters hope the act will soon be resurrected.

"It's an election year, so we're trying to push it to the forefront," said Dawrin Mota, 22.

Mota, a UNLV junior studying hotel management, said he knows "a couple of young people who have no options" because they are in the country illegally.

Even if they were able to get college degrees, he said, they would have few options afterward because they can't legally work in the United States.

The march was organized by the United Coalition for Immigrant Rights, which helped put together 2006's large-scale marches in support of comprehensive immigration reform.

Sharon Moore, a UNLV assistant professor of English who teaches African-American and American literature courses, showed her support Friday by donning a black graduation gown and marching with some of her students.

"I see a similarity between these (marches) and those I teach about at UNLV," Moore said. "There's so much about the struggle for immigrant rights that smacks of the kinds of concerns slaves had and the rights of African-Americans to have access to higher education. The plight of the disenfranchised is universal."

The marchers traveled about 3.5 miles, chanting slogans such as "Books not borders!" and "Si se puede!" -- "Yes we can!" -- and carrying signs that read "Education not deportation" and "Fight for the Dream."

They then held a rally at UNLV's outdoor amphitheater.

Juanito Espinoza, 23, carried his framed associate's degree from College of Southern Nevada.

"It's important to show the community that Latinos are productive," Espinoza explained. "I feel my undocumented friends should have the same access to education. I know a lot of people who are undocumented, and their stories are heartbreaking."

Contact reporter Lynnette Curtis at lcurtis@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0285.