About The Arizona Dream Act Coalition
ADAC's Vision
It is the vision of the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition to create a nation of fully educated and integrated immigrant youth.
ADAC's Mission
It is the mission of the Arizona Dream Act Coalition to promote the educational success of immigrant youth, to increase civic engagement and advocate for the passage of the DREAM Act.
ADAC's Bio
The Arizona DREAM Act Coalition is an immigrant youth-led organization focusing on the fight for higher education and immigrant rights. In 2006 Arizona passed Proposition 300, requiring undocumented youth to pay out-of-state tuition to attend college and made them ineligible to receive merit-based public scholarships. Prop 300 was the first law targeted at immigrant students. Many students dropped out of school and went deeper into the shadows. Yet, a small group of students from Arizona State University began a support group in which they were able to embrace their stories as immigrant youth. This group was the founder of the ADAC, whose members have long ago stepped out of the shadows and announced their status as "Undocumented and Unafraid.
The work of the ADAC initially revolved around passage of the DREAM Act. The ADAC played a major part in mobilizing youth at the state and national level during the 2010 push for the DREAM Act. Due to the leadership of immigrant youth and the ADAC, the DREAM Act came closer than ever to becoming a reality--passing in the House of Representatives but falling short 5 votes in the Senate.
Since 2009 the ADAC has devoted itself to holding politicians accountable, increasing voter participation in the Latino community, and integrating immigrant youth to our educational systems and economy to the fullest extent possible. ADAC members were present in most Phoenix City elections in 2011 and the historic Recall of Russell Pearce. Various media outlets and organizations have also recognized members of the ADAC for their exceptional community service, commitment to higher education, and contributions in the fight for immigrant rights.
The Arizona DREAM Act Coalition remains a youth-based and youth-led organization. Although only some of our members are undocumented, all our members are definitely DREAMers. It is the vision of the Arizona DREAM Act Coalition to create a nation of fully educated and integrated immigrant youth. The ADAC hopes to realize this vision through a commitment to higher education, youth leadership development, and civic engagement.
Contact us: email: arizonadreamactcoalition@gmail.com
