DREAM Act Arrestee Tells Her Story
Brent Finnegan -- July 21st, 2010
Harrisonburg college grad-turned-immigration reform activist Isabel Castillo was arrested outside Sen. Harry Reid’s office in Washington D.C. Tuesday evening for participating in a sit-in supporting passage of the DREAM Act. Why did she do it?
I caught up with Castillo outside Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, moments after she arrived back in Harrisonburg Wednesday night.
Castillo, who entered the U.S. illegally with her parents when she was six years old, says that the protest she participated in was the result of frustration with the federal government’s unwillingness to address people in her position.
“I was not going to sit around waiting to do something for my future,” says Castillo, who cannot legally get a job, despite having obtained a college degree. “It’s been ten years and we’re not going to wait any longer.”
Castillo says that Sen. Reid issued a statement indicating that he may put the DREAM Act up for a vote this fall. “We all know that comprehensive immigration reform is not going to happen this year, so we hope that he keeps his word.”
Tags: DREAM Act, Immigration
Passage of the DREAM Act cannot come soon enough. Children who are carried accross our border by their parents are guilty of no crime. It is a travesty that they are being held legally accountable for decisions made by their parents. People like Isabel know no home but the United States. It makes me proud to see her utilizing the advantages conferred upon her by the United States to advocate for those among us who need it most.
Way to get this timely interview Brent, I’ve been wanting to get more info on the protest and arrests. I hope Hburg news gets lots of links and recognition for this interview.
Thanks, Mike. Feel free to share the link around.
Great interview Brent!
Great interview. It’s good to hear directly from a “DREAMer” and I hope something happens with the laws for them soon.
I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to be in her situation!
The Bob Edwards Show, on Sirius/XM discussed “Children Without Papers”, featuring Isabel (and others from Harrisonburg) on his program on Thursday, October 14.
http://www.bobedwardsradio.com/