(June 20, 2007) Washington, D.C. – Local participants in the Dreams Across America Tour thank Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard for her commitment to just and humane comprehensive immigration reform. Known as Dreamers, more than 100 immigration reform advocates traveled by train to Capitol Hill from different parts of the country, including Los Angeles, to share their personal and inspirational stories about being an immigrant in this country. The Dreamers also urged Members to pass legislative reforms that would allow all Americans to pursue their dreams of graduating from college, reuniting with family, and providing undocumented immigrants currently living in this country with a pathway to legal permanent residency and citizenship. Pictured in the photo from left to right: Luz Diaz from Ontario, CA, a former Naval Reservist, who just received her nursing degree; Congresswoman Roybal-Allard; Wynona Spears from Bellflower, CA, a licensed vocational nurse at Kaiser Permanente; and Father Luis Angel Nieto, Associate Pastor at Resurrection Church in Boyle Heights.

The following is Father Nieto’s personal story, written in his own words, that he shared with lawmakers this week:

“I am an immigrant like many in this country. I can relate to the difficulty of adapting to a new reality, a new life and a new culture. I arrived in this country as a visiting priest at St. Clemente Church in Santa Monica, CA. During my visit, I saw the struggles of many of our brothers and sisters.

A year after my first visit, I received an invitation to serve at the parish on a temporary basis, but then was asked to serve as an extern priest at Our Lady of the Assumption in Claremont, CA. There I was able to truly experience the realities that our communities face and much more so now in Boyle Heights where I serve as Associate Pastor at Resurrection Church.

I have lived happily for seven years supporting the efforts of my communities and helping them through their struggles. While we have much work to do, especially regarding healthcare, affordable housing, transportation and many more issues, we continue to move forward contributing in our own ways to make our community a better place.

I have paid my taxes on time like many other immigrants. I have contributed to the prosperity of this country through my work, as many immigrants do each and every day. It is all worth the effort in the hopes that one day the youth in my community will be able to achieve their dreams.

I have dedicated my ministry to organize and mobilize the East Los Angeles immigrant community, so that together we can achieve our dream of coming out of the shadows and the anonymity in which many find themselves.

By working together, we will one day be able to look at one another without ever having to feel the stigma of a label, misconception or lack of papers. I dream that one day we will see each other as who we are, as human beings, working together for the prosperity of our families and the country in which we live – a country where human rights are valued and respected.”

The following is the personal story of Wynona Marie Spears of Bellflower, written in his own words, that she shared with lawmakers this week:

“I came to the United States like many others, in search of a better life. As one of 13 children, I left Belize to help my family. I had received a scholarship to go to a university in London for nursing, but I chose to come to the United States because I felt that I could achieve my dreams here. I now work as licensed vocational nurse for Kaiser Permanente.

As a single mother of three, I dream of success in life for my children. My son went to Iraq twice in the Air Force and is now a police officer in Bakersfield. My daughter is studying to be a social worker, and my youngest is working to find his path in life. I wish to live the American dream; to have a healthy life, a good job, good morals, and to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I believe the American dream is possible by providing better paying jobs, better healthcare, putting a stop to gang violence, and getting people involved in the community.

I’ve been working for 26 years as an intake nurse caring for the terminally ill patients in the Kaiser hospice. The young people there have come to call me “Mother Spears.” I am honored to be there with them, and I look forward each day to be able to help them.

I see humanity all around me. We cannot separate the human impact of immigration reform on all of us, immigrant or native-born.

My sister missed receiving her papers during the 1986 Amnesty by a couple of months, and she died at 47 after devoting her life to caring for others as a home health aid. She worked hard in this country for her children in Belize and died without seeing them after being separated for eight years.

This is a human issue. I support my brothers and sisters and all those that are here trying to achieve their dreams.”