Local DREAM Act Student Arrested in DC Today for Sit-In at Capitol Hill Offices

By Gustavo Arellano Tue., Jul. 20 2010 at 3:06 PM

Categories: Illegals, Illegals, Illegals!, Immigration, School Daze

Despite the recent mockings of them by Orange County's so-called "liberal" poobahs, members of the Orange County Dream Team--the group of undocumented college students that are pushing for the passage of a citizenship path for young people who've lived here most of their lives save for their birth--continue their struggle, upping the ante beyond merely pressuring Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez to co-sponsor the DREAM Act. Today, one Dream Team member was one of about 20 Dreamers that staged sit-ins inside Capitol Hill senator offices to draw attention to their plight--and she is now in custody.

Antonia Rivera is an Anaheim resident and here is her statement, released just before today's action. Facebook updates list her as having been arrested by police--we will update when there is more info:

My life was comfortable: a home, a bedroom, a bed to myself, lots and lots of toys! Then there were the weekend trips to the countryside, the circus and the theater. It was all a 5 year old could possibly ask for. But then my life started to get foggy and that day it all went overboard and I grew up. I could not stand watching my dad pull my mom's long, black hair and in a blur, I found myself running away, trying to preserve that freedom, that joy of life that was in danger of vanishing.

I was only 6. Now almost 22 years later, I feel like Rumi [sic] and Michelle, unsure if to sweat over my 10 year high school reunion next month. It never made a difference before, going as far back as elementary: playing, eating, running, fund-raising, mentoring with my friends. But now, I have to admit it will be a bit awkward explaining why I have not lived up to my full potential. I never expected things to take this long.

I earned a B.A. in Literary Journalism from the University of California-Irvine in 2006, after joining the Orange County Dream Team in 2005. Through it, I partook in the foundation of the CA Dream Network, DREAMS at UC Irvine and Dream Team Los Angeles. In 2007, I was part of a Caravan and a 7 day hunger fast to San Francisco. Over the years, I've lobbied and presented to many including the college board.

Yet, I am still "9ine digits away from my dream" and I am not sure how my childhood friends will react to that. It has been a bittersweet journey and I have given a lot up for DREAM, including my family in the mid-west. But I feel the DREAM coming not just for me, but for my younger sister and the numerous friends that I've had the privileged to work with throughout the years.

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For the 25 million unemployed Americans and their families...is it fair, moral to make them compete for admissions and financial aid with illegal immigrants? Where's the compassion for the U.S. college kids who have to pay out-of-state tuition while illegal immigrants pay in-state? Que les decimos a ellos??? Didn't Antonia have a chance to go back to Mexico and pursue a career there?? is she afraid of not being able to do it? Is she hiding behind this cause because without it she would be nothing??
Phil Osborne actually makes a good suggestion...and is a rarity here for that. OC Weekly's actual columnist is much too busy trolling OC's white neighborhoods trying to satisfy is diaper fetish....right Gus? I don't have problem liberalizing a "guest worker" program. If they can find work and they stay out of trouble, they can be registered to work here legally....I wouldn't even charge them three grand. They have to check in to a govt dept to show they're gainfully employed. If not, or if they break the law....buh bye. To enforce that, we need to...well...enforce it. Guest workers need to show ID to wire money, to get a driver's license, to vote (duh), to get any services, when they get medical treatment, to apply for a job. I don't know why anyone would have a problem with that. I have to show ID if I do anything....even renting a paint sprayer from Home Depot. La Raza's get their panties in a wad if there's a hint of discrimination...which is the whole point. The idea is to discriminate against those who are not in compliance with our laws. Sorry if that hurts your feelings. We need immigrants, and Hispanics have, in general, been good immigrants. But we also need skilled immigrants coming here from India, the Philippines, etc. Hispanics are industrious, family oriented, but they don't quite grasp, in general, that sacrificing for their childrens' education is how an immigrant gets ahead in this country. - oh, and for that woman who claimed to have hard numbers proving illegal immigrants are a net economic gain to the state, I call BS.
Thank you, Mr. Arrellano, for bringing this matter to light. Immigration (illegal and otherwise) has been a hot button issue in my own home for years, my spouse and I both work in the public sector-- but at different ends of it, and thus do not always agree with the nature of the "problem" at hand. However, we do agree there are faults with the way our "system" of gaining citizenship is set-up as well as how welfare services are doled out; I suppose these downfalls are indicative of the human condition in general. Yet, no matter your personal opinion in the matter, expecting (and enforcing) youths who have been raised in the US to apply for citizenship status is not quite as simplistic as it might sound. I am sure those who posted things of that nature (i.e. that there's an easy fix) are aware of those intricacies of our bureaucratic government. And, to the other commentators who are so enraged by this idea of "those" people being in "your" country: The country as you know and love it is one that has flourished in light of those "scary" and "dark" people who came across the border to "infest" "your" country. Who would you have to look down upon if you had it your way? How would you maintain the status-quo of "your" American society as you know it? The students who have chosen to protest ARE dreamers. That is what we, as an American society, encourage our youth and academics to do. Might some of their tactics be less thorough or desirable than some might desire? Yes. As hard as it is to believe, without these dreamers and their dreams, and their predecessors, "your" country would be unrecognizable. But, you probably realized that too.
Yet she hasn't made any steps to become a legal citizen? After all she is how old now? Sounds like the same old excuses and entitlement thought. Get legal or go home.
If she's illegal. Deport her. I am sick and tired of hearing that the system is broken. It's not broken.It's not enforced. It's time to enforce our laws regardless of who they are or where they come from. We make laws for a reason and all laws should be enforced...not picked and chosen which ones people don't like. That's not how it works.
Well OCJOHN, your wife's cousin is probably not an Arizona resident you moron! And people, illegal people in Cali who pay in-state tuition are probably residents of that state so they pay the in-state tuition. Tell your wife's cousin to go back to her own state then maybe she can pay the non-extra fee too! And who said if illegals want to get legalized then they won't pay? DUH!! They will pay! This country needs money and the 11 million illegals would be very much beneficial. And if illegals cost this country money, what about the money this country has blew away on the War on Iraq? What about the lives that have been taken away just for Bush's greed for oil? Legalizing these people would be nothing but beneficial to the current state of economy!
I love you sister! We do appreciate all the sacrifices, I just can't believe it is taking so long. Stay strong because united we continue our dreams!
Antonia's plight is a reminder of the broken immigration system and the need for reform. Her struggles are the struggles of over 12 million people here in the US. We're here in solidarity with you Antonia!
Standing up (sitting down really) and volunteering yourself to be deported because you aren't here legally is brave and wise. I applaud her actions and she should be an example to all other illegal immigrants of any race or national origin. They should follow suite, become martyrs in their own mind and self eject. Viva Antonia!
If these illegals want to better themselves in OUR country, they need to do it with their money. It is amazing how my wife's cousin has to pay extra as an Arizona student yet the illegals in California get the state rate. Sure we need educated immigrants and if you happen to be illegal, you shouldnt benefit on our backs. As for costs, add up budgets for schools (and the high drop out rate), free medical, food stamps for the anchor babies and of course we have the high percentage of illegals in our jails and prisons at a $50k per inmate. Dont tell me they are saving us money and we benefit from having illegals in our state. They help ruin our state.
Antonia continues to be in custody of the Capitol Police. She is very brave, just as the other 20 Dream students that got arrested today. Our country needs to fix its broken immigration system. Those that talk about "the rule of law" should check themselves and see where the foundation of this country and development of the country began. What is your own personal immigration story? When did your family come over? What was their motivation to come to the US? How has racism evolved and stayed the same since then? Think of these issues when over generalizing a group of people, when 'othering' people who have more in common with your dreams than you may give credit to.
This country is going down the sh*t hole and instead of arming yourself against corporations, the top 5% percent that owns %80 of your country, and politicians who have sold you out, you persecute people who want nothing more than than to feed their families, get an education, and be a part of progress JUST LIKE YOU! Throwing all the "illegals" out, calling HUMAN BEINGS "illegal," and incarcerating humans guilty of nothing but being INGENOUS, will lead you no where and do NOTHING for you but keep you distracted from the REAL source of the problems a corrupt government, de-regulation, and IGNORANCE. Go one rejecting these people, insulting the, and preventing them from contributing to society. Meanwhile, you will be screwed in the behind by a the same system that promotes the persecution of these individuals and helps maintain YOUR IGNORANCE.
All this hate and recrimination is a symptom of something seriously wrong with the haters. Like the War On Drugs, the War On Illegals is fought over myths and symbols. It is therefore a social neurosis and should be treated as such. When someone has a neurosis, they treat symbols as though they were real things to be sought, protected or despised. But there is never any satisfaction in the pursuit of symbolic, neurotic values, which just makes the neurotic people that much more frustrated. Meanwhile, there are very simple and reasonably just* solutions to the real, concrete problems. Lets do an actuarial analysis of just how much cost vs. benefit is involved when someone enters the U.S. Then lets charge up front and ongoing to cover the costs. One side says that illegals are supporting our economy, doing the jobs that citizens won't take. (Make up your own symbol for the proud, hard-working undocumented, supporting his or her family through honest work.) The other says that they are freeloading on the U.S. infrastructure. In reality, no doubt some people are doing some of each. In all fairness we ought to recognize that fact and try to come up with a fair means of reflecting that reality. It typically costs someone several thousand dollars up front to get through the border illegally, and they take all kinds of risks as well. But if they could simply pay say $3,000 up front to the U.S. and stay for a year, paying the same fees and taxes and getting the same benefits as a citizen, without fear of ICE raids, etc., wouldn't that be worth it to them, and wouldn't the extra $3,000 per year generally pay for that infrastructure? The U.S. anglo population is aging fast, and someone is going to have to take the place of all the kids we didn't have and pay for our Social Security. Or we can fester in our symbolic hells, looking for someone to blame. Then who's irresponsible?
Thank you, Gustavo for keeping us updated! To no(nothing) illegals: I have already fully debunked that number with solid numbers showing a net gain for the state in the end. It's easy to only count money spent and disregard money brought in. (posted on the story about no illegals sticker on the OC Weekly stand). How much money do legal citizens cost the state using your same method of not counting taxes etc? Moron.
Funny how all these people can judge and say hateful things when they see someone more successful than them. Antonia Keep your head and heart strong, and mover forth to your most amazing DREAM.
Undocumented immigrants are your--neighbors, teachers, friends--don't be blinded by the fear of someone you don't know and/or understand. Advice: base your statements on facts not sound bites that you hear on TV. Fact: If you are an undocumented person you cannot access welfare benefits. Fact: You have to wait 12-15 years if your US Citizen Brother or Sister petitions you to become a legal resident. To be blinded by lies and hate, be liberated by truth and love. ~Much love to you, Antonia.~
Here is a link to what illegals cost this country, in real time. you wont have to fake a shock face. http://www.immigrationcounters.com/
I do believe that we should be more stiff with our illegal immigration policy. For people that are stuck in the situation there parents brought them into I think should be looked at closely. I would think that some one that has lived here all there life, has acclimated themselves to the culture, has no criminal record or ties to criminals in there family/community and has had the motivation to put themselves through college should be afforded the opportunity to at least get a work visa. I think those specific people are deserving, with strict rule, of a chance to become legal citizens, such as the people that come here legally.
"Illegal lover," hmm. Being the man that I am, I don't discriminate when it comes to a woman's immigration status. In fact, I encourage all the REAL MEN out there to marry women that are deserving of help. Oh wait, that's too much to ask of "oc" racists and the like. That's quite alright, there are plenty of MEN here of Mexican descent that will gladly take a deserving woman to be their wife and bring her into the fold. "Illegal lover?" Count me in.
"Yet, I am still "9ine digits away from my dream"... That's about the same number illegals cost California every year... More racist bullcrap from illegal lover Gustavo... Wait, let me go get my surprised face...