[ed. note releases are from Jan. 2015 and include several misspellings]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan 24, 2014

CONTACT
Erika Andiola
 
Reyna Montoya

***BREAKING***

Governor Rick Perry and Chris Christie Interrupted by Dreamers in Steve King’s Freedom Summit Event

TWO DREAMERS ARRESTED

VIDEO
 
Des Moines, Iowa- Today, a group of undocumented youth interrupted prospective 2016 Presidential candidate and former Texas Governor, Rick Perry.  Marco Malagon, Dreamer from Texas, shouted “Governor, do you stand with King, or do you stand with us and our families? Do you think I’m deportable?” while others stood up with signs that read “DEPORTABLE?” in reference to Representative Steve King’s comments about an undocumented student who attended the State of the Union address as a guest of First Lady Michelle Obama. Following Perry, Christie was also interupted by Cesar Vargas, Dreamer from New York.
 
The group of 13 youth were scorted out. Marco and Cesar were arrested with no justification by the police.
 
For years, Congressman Steve King has been one of the most vocal GOP voices against Dreamers and the undocumented community. He has been on the record using derogatory language against Dreamers and has tried several times to terminate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that protects certain undocumented individuals who came to this country as children.  
 
“We are here today sending a message to the GOP presidential candidates, like Perry, that if they are serious about 2016, they need to stay as far as possible from Steve King and his hateful actions towards us” said Marco Malagon, a Dreamer from Texas and co-founder of the Texas Dream Team.
 
"Immigration continues to be a central issue for GOP hopefuls who have their eyes on the White House. Events like the Freedom Summit further illustrate how out of touch the Republican Party is with the growing Latino and immigrant population in the United States. Do they really want to deport me and my mother?" said Cesar Vargas.
 
 
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updated release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 23, 2014

CONTACT Cesar Vargas
 
Erika Andiola

** PRESS CONFERENCE **
 
Dreamers from Around the Country Challenge Presidential Hopefuls at Iowa Freedom Summitt on Immigration

WHO: Dreamers from Iowa, NJ, NY Texas, Florida, Arizona & local Iowa leaders
WHEN: Saturday, Jan 24, 11:30AM CT (12:30pm ET) 
WHERE: Hoyt Sherman Place, 1501 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50314
[driveway adjacent to Freedom Sumitt]

DES MOINES, IA -  Last week, House Republicans voted to pass legislation that would effectively end the Presidents immigration actions.  Currently, Dreamers have deferred action status as part of the DACA program which provides deportation relief and work authorization. Similarly, parents of U.S. Citizens and legal residents were also granted deportation relief as part of the President's November 20th executive action.

As 2016 approaches, immigration will be a central issue that potential presidential candidates will have to confront. The Latino and Asian electorate overwhelmingly support the President's immigration actions. A new poll by CBS showed that majority of Americans want the President’s action to remain.
 
**** FOLLOW UP EVENT ****

“Iowa Presidential Burger” —  Dreamers invite  presidential hopefuls for a policy discussion on immigration, lots of red meat topped by a chili reception from Dreamers, side of cantaloupe.

Location: Zombie Burger, 300 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Time: 6PM

 
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