A letter to DREAMers and Advocates

from Genie Zavaleta, Chairwoman, CADENA

A letter to DREAMers and Advocates:

I am so disappointed - again -about the votes in the Senate yesterday. I am so sorry for the students who have worked so hard.

THE DREAM ACT IS NOT DEAD. It still exists as S.729. It has NOT been voted down.

We all knew it was risky to bring it up now. We knew we probably did not have the votes. And we were dealt an expected blow from the Republicans in the Senate.

Please note that two Democrats failed to vote for this first procedural motion: Lincoln and Pryor. Also - some senators continued to speak for the DREAM ACT after that vote.

What is the strategy now? Have heard from two national groups with suggestions. There will be more tomorrow.

NILC reported over 100,000 calls made to senators, but they still knew the vote might fail. They are already working on strategy.

It is possible that the senators may not bring this up until the lame duck session. But it will come up, one way or another. Reid can call them back for extra sessions until he gets a vote.

As CADENA we do not want to do anything too quickly until we have direction.

I think we need to wait for instructions from Senator Durbin as well as all the national organizations that supported the DREAM ACT.

We just need to be sure everyone knows that the DREAM ACT IS NOT DEAD - in spite of what some news anchors said today.

Please do not be too disappointed.
Let's continue supporting the DREAM Act and the young students and professionals.