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The Dream Is Now: The New Abridged Cut

Media, and Immigration

Posted May 2017

About the Film

In 2013, Emerson Collective partnered with Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Davis Guggenheim to tell the stories of four undocumented “Dreamers” whose lives hinged on the passing of immigration reform. If it passed, the bipartisan Dream Act would provide hardworking young immigrants with the opportunity to earn a path to U.S. citizenship. If it didn’t, their fates in this country would remain entirely uncertain.

Ola works in a university lab researching more effective cancer treatments, but faces possible deportation. Alejandro has everything it takes to be a Marine—except a social security number. Jose has a degree in mechanical engineering, but his diploma gathers dust while he works construction. Erika is a leader of the national Dreamer movement, but lives in constant fear of her family being deported. While each of these young people are unique in their achievements, their stories—and those of thousands of others—are the same.

About the Dream Act

Ultimately the Dream Act passed in the Senate 68-32, but it failed to pass in the House of Representatives, with no further legislative reform in sight.

In 2012, President Obama stepped in. Seeing extraordinary potential in welcoming young immigrants as contributors to society, the president established the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The temporary stopgap allowed undocumented young people brought here as children to apply for college, receive financial aid, obtain drivers licenses, apply for jobs, and more. It also provided momentary relief from the constant fear of deportation.

This summer Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham reintroduced a version of the Dream Act to provide hardworking undocumented immigrants the chance to earn citizenship. Until permanent legislation is enacted, the potential of thousands of young people like Ola, Alejandro, Jose, and Erika, hang in the balance. You can call your member of Congress and urge them to pass the Dream Act before the end of this year.

More to Explore

  • Watch the complete 30-minute documentary
  • Meet three DACAmented educators working with Teach For America
  • See our infographic breaking down the tax contributions of undocumented immigrants

Take Action

Use our tool to call your member of Congress and urge them to pass the Dream Act now.

See our guide to having important conversations about Dreamers during the holidays.

Visit our Dreamers portal for more information and resources.

Connected Stories

  • The Promise of a Path to Citizenship: What It Means for Education

    The contributions of Dreamers and the fragility of DACA proved just how important it is to grant young undocumented people the opportunity to earn citizenship.

    Immigration
  • The Promise of a Path to Citizenship: What It Means for Healthcare

    Healthcare in the United States has always been treated as a privilege reserved for citizens who could afford it; undocumented immigrants are unilaterally excluded. A path to citizenship would create a just, equitable healthcare system.

    Immigration
  • The Promise of a Path to Citizenship: What It Means for Enforcement

    Creating a path to citizenship for 11 million aspiring Americans would eliminate the need for our expensive and ineffective deportation apparatus; and it would hold politicians accountable to pass legislation that benefits their constituents.

    Immigration

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