Kay Bailey Hutchinson Orders Department of Homeland Security To Deny Dreamers and Supporters Access Into Federal Building
Dreamers (one on her 22nd day of a hunger strike) returning after being allowed in Houston's Mickey Leland Federal building downtown confirming via a paper note taped to the front door, that Kay Baily Hutchinson's office is indeed closed before 5pm on Wednesday afternoon.
(Audio Available, Video Available, Pictures Available, In The Press)
DECEMBER 1, 2010
HOUSTON, TX - A delegation of Houston DREAM Act supporters and Texas hunger strikers - on their 22nd day without solid foods – were denied access to the Mickey Leeland Federal Building on orders to the Department of Homeland Security officers from Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s office.
“We are trying to communicate with the Senator and ask her to do the reasonable thing for our youth. We are disappointed with her for denying us access to a Federal building, for not meeting with us, and for not standing with DREAM Act students,” says Jannell Robles, Houston DREAM Act supporter.
DHS officers said that Senator Hutchinson’s office had been closed and were not allowed into the building. Approximately 50 supporters including community leaders, religious leaders, professors, students and elected officials held a rally outside as hunger strikers attempted to enter the building.
“Representative Sheila Jackson Lee’s staff was rational enough to recognize our constitutional right to have access to the building and invited us and supporters into their office,” said Guillermo Lopez, Dream Act Supporter and HCC student. Upon visiting with Rep. Lee’s office, supporters visited Hutchison’s office only to be received with a closed door and a note taped to the door of her Nov 30th public statement on the DREAM Act.
“The DREAM Act is my last hope as well as for other undocumented students across the country. We need it this year,” said Lucina Martinez, undergraduate at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that would enable young immigrants who were brought to the United States as children without documents to normalize their immigration status by finishing high school and enrolling in college or enlisting in the military. The measure has the support of 70 percent of American voters, leaders of every major religious denomination in America as well as leaders from the education, business, and military sectors. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has pledged to bring the DREAM Act up for a vote this year.
Guillermo Lopez, UH Student denied access to Mickey Leeland Federal Building, 832-335-5149
Lucina Martinez, Texas hunger striker denied access to Mickey Leeland Federal Building, 469-386-1118
Pamela Resendiz, Texas university student denied access to Mickey Leeland Federal Building, 210-693-8533
Sylvia Mintz, Houston Lawyer denied access to Mickey Leeland Federal Building, 832-314-7394
Support: CRECEN, Alianza Mexicana, International Action Center, Mi Familia Vota, Houston Interfaith Worker Justice, and FIEL Houston