[View the story "#BringThemHome campaign for detained activists" on Storify ]#BringThemHome campaign for detained activists Undocumented immigrants risk being barred from US to protest immigration policy. Storified by AJAMStream · Tue, Jul 23 2013 15:15:23
They arrived in the country illegally. Now, a group of activists have returned to Mexico to make the trip to the US
a second time - legally.
Eight campaigners, dubbed the "Dream 8" on social media, were detained on Monday as they attempted to cross into the US through a border patrol station in Nogales, Mexico. They asked to re-enter the US on humanitarian grounds, and are currently being
held at Arizona's Florence Detention Center.
colorlines.com
Each has grown up in the United States, and risks the possibility of being barred from returning. The
National Immigrant Youth Alliance (NIYA), who organized the action, posted
videos of the activists explaining why they left the US:
Bring Them Home: Lizbeth Mateo Checking in from Oaxaca, MexicomVedomvjVwWeYZeZ9JJ6Kg
Congressman Luis Gutierrez used Facebook to express support for activist Lulu Martinez, who lives in his district:
I have heard about the DREAMers who attempted to return home to the United States today after deportation, including my constituent Lulu Martinez from Chicago. I hope the Obama administration will do the right thing and let them back in. To make us whole in immigration reform, I believe that people deported without a criminal record should be able to apply to return in the US. -LVG <br> <a href="/hashtag/bringthemhome" class="_58cn">#BringThemHome</a>
The Dream 8 have inspired many to plead for their release using the hashtag
#BringThemHome .
Some encouraged people to call US immigration authorities:
Let's keep the pressure on! #BringThemHome http://pic.twitter.com/oe5UXLCxGAohiodreamact
BREAKING: #Dream8 are detained @Florence Detention Center. KEEP CALLING 202-732-5000 and 602-744-2412, ask for their release! #bringthemhomeSonia Guinansaca
Activists gathered outside the detention center in Arizona:
#letthemgo #bringthemhomeluigimonstre
This group of supporters rallied in Chicago:
#Bringthemhome #unafraid #protest #tv #cameras #stopraids #Chicago #news #downtownshy_from_the_chi
Many online expressed support for the action:
It was illegal for a colored person to sit in front of the bus but Rosa Parks raised awareness of unjust laws, just like #Dreamers did todayLydia Guzman
If you view the actions of #Dream8 in contempt, you don't understand what this fight is about #humanrights #BringThemHomeNancy
Crossing the border doesn't make the #Dream8 any less American. This is their home. Borders are arbitrary. #BringThemHomeAndrea Gordillo
Others criticized the move:
They knowingly did this to themselves. If your average everyday-citizen did this, we'd be in jail and would have to stay there!Barb Boline
not supporting #dream9.What they did was arrogant.They want rights bc their parents broke the law¬ them,but now they are.#DoublestandardMixedStatus
Netizens also discussed what effect the Dream 8 action might have on the immigration battle in Congress:
If Obama was smart, he would say #Not1More deportation till the #GOP passes #CIR13. Dems need to grow spine. #TimeIsNow #BringThemHomePrerna Lal J.D.
The fight for immigrant rights has just taken a major turn. This is what democracy looks like America #DREAM8 #BringThemHOmeRubenCastillaHerrera
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