By Pieri Herazo
Newcomers High School

Our society identifies itself as fair and professes values such as freedom and equality. But do these values exist for everyone? Somehow, the Declaration of Independence, which states: “ We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all Men are created equal” overlooks a significant number of people who are also working hard for the betterment of the communities in which they live and this country as a whole.

Sarah, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, is a high school student from Grenada who had her hopes of going to college dashed by our educational system. Sarah speaks for thousands of other high school students who are fated to go without the opportunity of getting an advanced education. Arriving with her family into this country when she was nine, this young girl attended Clara Barton High School in Brooklyn, New York. Excited about her future after her high school graduation, she soon realized that her next inevitable step was not college like most teens. A resident of the United States, she didn’t have a Social Security number to prove it. “At the same time, I couldn’t be an international student because international students live outside the country,” she said. “So I was stuck. I couldn’t lie.” Additionally, she was not entitled to receive financial aid, scholarships, loans or grants. “I felt so alone and worthless,” she said. “Worthless because first I couldn’t go to college because my mother couldn’t afford to send me and, secondly, I knew I wouldn’t be able to get a good job because I don’t have a Social Security number.”

Today, different organizations are trying to make a difference for young people like Sarah by creating equal educational opportunities where they may have been overlooked. The Human Rights Activist Project (HRAP) is a youth program, sponsored by Global Kids, Inc. that is trying to raise awareness and activism amongst a new generation of young people who will raise sensitivity to this issue. Their goal is not only to develop a better understanding of the justice system, but also to educate young people on how they can stand up for their rights.

This year HRAP was made up of 40 students from different high schools in New York City - Queens International High School, Newcomers High School, Clara Barton High School, Stevenson High School and Canarsie High School. These young people not only learned about human rights issues as well as being educated in basic skills in legislative action, they also helped to draft The Dream Act.

The Dream Act, (The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act) is a piece of national legislation that would grant undocumented students permanent residency and enable them to go to college. If passed, The Dream Act would grant permanent residency to young people who have been in the United States for a period of time (no less than five years), have received a high school or equivalent GED diploma in the U.S., have good moral character, are between the ages of 12-21 and are actively pursuing a higher education.

There are an estimated 6000-8000 undocumented students who fit these requirements in New York City alone. Last April, two HRAP groups participated in the New York State Dream Act task force day of action in Flushing Meadow Parks, Queens. “We had a huge presence,” said one HRAP youth. “We danced, read poetry, mc’d and even made the news! After that we were inspired to do our own action.” Other HRAP groups wanted to capitalize on the initial success and wrote a script for a street theater production that educates people about The Dream Act. Last June this group performed their skit, which included characters, such as The Government, the Statue of Liberty and immigrants to many audiences around the City. At the end of the day, The Dream Act had collected more than 1000 signatures demanding President Bush’s support for the legislation.

Everyone can benefit from a law like The Dream Act. The Dream Act can send undocumented students to college and this in turn helps to develop a more educated work force. The contributions these immigrants make to our society are one thing, but their contributions also help our economy by increasing our tax base.

A major fall campaign to help put The Dream Act on the front burner of the Congress is already being planned. While the House and the Senate continue to review this legislation, those that participated in HRAP’s groundswell effort and those that are dedicated to seeing this law passed have learned that young people really do have the power to make real changes in our society. Anyone can make a difference. Our success as a nation depends on everyone’s strength, effort and commitment.

The Human Rights Activist Project in action, Marching to Union Square.