DREAM Act Activist Hoping to Speak With President Tonight

Ralph Isenberg, the Dallas-area immigration activist who has proposed an amendment to the DREAM Act, is hoping to share the stories of students who could benefit from the proposed law to President Obama at a fundraiser tonight in Dallas.

The immigration activist has been working on behalf of Saad Nabeel, the 19-year-old former University of Texas at Arlington student who was recently deported to Bangladesh after spending 15 years of his life in the United States. Obama will headline the Dallas dinner to raise money for the  Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Isenberg bought tickets for himself and his wife to attend the dinner as a way to try to present Saad’s case to the President, or, Isenberg says, “perhaps to at least get the ear of his staff.”

Each person who bought a ticket is expected to have a minute or so of the President’s time, and Isenberg is planning on sharing the story of Saad and presenting a packet of articles and information on the 19 year old, as well as two other students who could be impacted by the passage of the DREAM Act, he says. One student, currently a high school student, contacted him after reading about Saad’s story in Campus Progress, Isenberg notes, adding that the student realized that he needed to be proactive if he wants to attend college and reach his dream of becoming a pediatrician.

“The fear that we’re putting kids in is a story that the President has to be aware of, and will be made aware of,” Isenberg says. 

Kristi Eaton is a staff writer for Campus Progress. She graduated from Arizone State University in 2008.