Danny Navarro, a 4th year History major, is being spotlighted for his efforts spearheading the Dare to DREAM Campaign on grounds. Danny explains that his motivation to support the DREAM Act springs from being the child of undocumented immigrants. He states, “ I understand and value the importance of an education as a way to improve one’ s socioeconomic situation in the United States. There is a dangerous misconception that exists in our society that we, the immigrant children, are lazy and do not want to become better people for ourselves and our country.”
Danny’ s goal through this campaign is to gain the University’ s public endorsement of the DREAM Act, hopefully helping it pass through Virginia legislation. By doing so, this will give undocumented immigrants the chance to attend college or serve the United States in the military. Initially, it was a project initiated by the Advocacy Committee of the Latino Student Alliance, and now they have about 20 students dedicated to this campaign. Danny is truly grateful to these students that have helped with the campaign. Through this campaign, he also strives to change peoples’ perceptions of immigrants and would like to convince people that they can achieve socioeconomic progress through education and/or military service at the University, in Charlottesville, and in the country. Danny believes he has been lucky and does not take his good fortune for granted. “ I march and petition for the DREAMers, because I know that I could have easily been in their shoes, and them in mine, and I know they would be marching and petitioning for my right as an American to have equal access to education.”
