AWAKEN

What happens when your visa expired and now you're considered an "illegal immigrant"?

AWAKEN
Director: Dieu Huynh
Producer: Robert Nakamura and the UCLA EthnoCommunications program

David Cho and his family came to America when he was 9 years old, looking to fulfill the American dream. Through unforeseen circumstances, David's family lost their legal status, and David became one of the hundreds of undocumented students in the UC system. This film lets David tell his story and struggle to fight for the DREAM Act and a chance to contribute back to this country he calls home.

UPDATE Oct, 2011: The CA Dream Act passed! Students can now be eligible to apply to private scholarships and leftover Cal Grants

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• DREAM
• Act
• Awaken
• UCLA
• David
• Cho
• marching
• band
• undocumented
• Dreamer
• Asian
• American
• Korean
• EthnoCommunications
• documentary
• history
• high
• school
• hope
• change
• Obama
• illegal
• deportation
• education
• immigrants
• immigrant
• DREAMers
• Georgetown
• George
• Washington
• Glen
• Beck
• fafsa
• student
• loans
• UCLAevp
• AB130
• AB131
• CA
• Dream
• college
• university
• graduation

[lk890000]

This video tugs at the heartstrings, but it does not give any rational reasons. Thus, you are actually hurting your cause. People will get the impression that your cause is based solely on emotion and not on reason/logic and emotion is not cause for new legislation in legitimate American government. But let me make myself clear--I am not saying that there are no rational (not emotional) reasons behind your cause--I am merely saying that, should they exist, you have not presented them.

[aznjokeryou]

@lk890000 This was a class assignment, and I was given 6 minutes to tell a story, and that's what I did. David's story showcase the situation where bad lawyers sometimes leave their clients, or in this case, it was a technical error that resulted in David's changed status.

I would love to partake in a 30 minutes or 60 minutes special, which is more adequate for the wholesome story telling that you and I both want x). Perhaps this upcoming year?

[percythekitty]

David is going to be a powerful force for good in this country. I know it.  We just have to give him a chance! (Lena too.)

[careygly]

A beautiful and powerful film about an amazing man. Dream Act now!

[pkloveforever]

Wow, you and I have so much in Common!

Being a PK, 1.5 Generation from Korea, Drum Major (from high school for me), Religious Visa.

Let's not give up the hope and pray/act toward our goals! You are not alone, brother.

[lk890000]

@aznjokeryou Thank you.

[lk890000]

@tnasstbruin

I've wrote what I wanted, you've wrote what you wanted. Let's end the debate here; I will not respond to further comments.

[lk890000]

@tnasstbruin What I wrote has been distorted. I was responding to your implicit statement of, "Yeah, let's pass the dream act--it'll give more tax revenue." I hold that tax revenue is not cause in and of itself for granting citizenship--that's all I said. As to your point of "As long as "they" are here, they should be paying taxes," we are in agreement, but since you used the "as long as they are here" condition (implicitly) in your argument, it means precious little.

[tnasstbruin]

@lk890000 Well they're here, they're educated, and public resources have been invested into these Americans without documents. Isn't it RATIONAL for them to give back? It'd be a waste of public resources if they didn't. Without SS numbers, they're unchecked and don't even have to pay taxes (although lots of them do to avoid getting in trouble). Plus, a lot of them with professional degrees can be in a position to MAKE jobs. Not just take them. Let them pay into the tax and healthcare system.DUH

[lk890000]

@tnasstbruin

The purpose of tax revenue is to provide for the citizens, so what kind of sense does it make to say that we need more citizens so that we can get more tax revenue? Check your logic, please.

[TheBlackMamba17]

Bravo