Sunday, October 21, 2012

About a hundred people signed a petition asking elected officials to support the passage of the Dream Act, that would provide undocumented students a path to citizenship.

The Wichita West High School "Pioneers for Peace and Justice" club organized the rally in front of the Keeper of the Plains this afternoon.

The students said they were hoping to help friends they have grown up with who were brought to the United State illegally.

"I hope that they pass the Dream Act. A lot of these undocumented kids can have futures and they could help our community," said Dominick Fonseca, member of the high school club.

The Dream Act would help honor roll students like Diana del Rio, who hopes to someday become a trauma surgeon.

"I want people to not look at me as undocumented and not give me that chance, because I can make a difference," she said.

The 17-year-old says she fears deportation every day. She came to America when she was three-years-old.

"I'm scared that at any moment, now that I'm turning 18, that being undocumented, that I can just be thrown back to Mexico and I don't know anything there," said del Rio.

If the Dream Act bill would become law, undocumented youth like del Rio would be eligible for a conditional path to citizenship. She would be required to complete a college degree or serve in the military.