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Earlier this month, the Portland State M.E.Ch.A chapter rallied outside U.S. Rep. David Wu’s office in an effort to garner support for both immigration reform and the DREAM Act. Marching alongside M.E.Ch.A were members of CAUSA, Oregon’s grassroots immigrant rights coalition.
The DREAM Act, or the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act of 2009, is the primary concern among PSU’s M.E.Ch.A members.
“There a lot of undocumented Latino students that will not be able to go onto college,” said Vilma Chan, M.E.Ch.A. secretary. “They stand to benefit a lot from the DREAM Act.”
Members from M.E.Ch.A also visited Sen. Ron Wyden’s office on Friday, Jan. 22, to ask for his support.
“Senator Wyden supports the DREAM Act, but hasn’t yet sponsored it,” said Andy Perez, M.E.Ch.A co-coordinator.
If passed, the DREAM Act will grant citizenship to undocumented youth if they acquire a college degree or complete two years of military service. Aside from these requirements, students must also display good character.
“I think the passing of the DREAM Act will be a possibility in five or so years, but [students] will still be faced with a lot of requirements,” Perez said.
Members of M.E.Ch.A—an abbreviation of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán—also support immigration reform as defined by the Comprehensive Immigration Reform for America’s Security and Prosperity Act of 2009, which proposes granting citizenship to millions of immigrants who meet certain criteria.
“We believe that there needs to be a just and humane comprehensive immigration reform. The current laws that are in effect are tearing families apart and children are often caught in the middle,” said Orlando Lopez, Western Oregon University’s M.E.Ch.A liaison.
M.E.Ch.A is a national, student-run organization comprised of more than 400 chapters. According to its constitution, it promotes educational, cultural and historical empowerment of Chicanos through political involvement and higher education. PSU’s M.E.Ch.A belongs to the Aztlán del Noroeste region.
“M.E.Ch.A is more than a name—it is a spirit of unity, of sisterhood and brotherhood, and a resolve to undertake a struggle for liberation in a society where justice is but a word,” Lopez said.
Although the use of the term “Chicano” originally referred to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent, M.E.Ch.A has expanded its meaning. Lopez explained that it no longer designates a race, but a “philosophy.”
"We have reformed the word to encompass anyone that is politically conscious and wants to learn about and enrich their culture,” Chan said.
Aside from M.E.Ch.A’s political agenda, the organization also serves as a support group for high school students looking to move onto higher education. On Feb. 10, M.E.Ch.A will hold its seventh annual Educate Day conference in Smith Memorial Student Union. Over 300 high school students from all over Oregon are expected to attend, including students from Hood River and Salem.
“I attended the conference in high school, and it has made a big difference to me. It’s actually one of the reasons I attended PSU. We came out of those neighborhoods and made it to college, so education is a big focus for M.E.Ch.A,” said member Melissa Sarabia.
The conference begins at 8:30 a.m., and students will be informed about postsecondary education, financial aid and Chicano culture. This year’s theme is health, according to Sarabia, meaning students will be informed on sex- and health-related issues. M.E.Ch.A has also scheduled various workshops, keynote speakers and entertainment, including traditional dance and hip-hop performances by high school students.
M.E.Ch.A currently has 15 active members, although several other students are on its mailing list. The organization, according to Perez, urges all PSU students who are passionate about issues throughout the community to get involved.
Their office is located in SMSU, room M102, on the second-floor mezzanine.
Visit the PSU M.E.Ch.A. Web site at www.myspace.com/psumecha for more information about their chapter.
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