1 of 16

Dream Act Pt. 4: Advocacy in Action

​

​

Interactive Session: Meeting with Your Members of Congress

​

2 of 16

Where We’ve Been

Our advocacy journey so far:

​

1. What is the Dream Act

2. How to Tell your Story

3. Legislative Advocacy

4. Today: Meeting with Your Member of Congress

​

​

3 of 16

Why do meetings with Congress matter?�

  • Policymakers hear directly from constituents.
  • Personal stories put a human face on policy.
  • Advocacy builds long-term relationships.
  • Every conversation moves the issue forward.

​

​

Why Advocacy Matters

Visibility matters.

It's harder to ignore an issue when the people affected are sitting right across the table.​

​

4 of 16

Who Might You Meet?

You may meet with:

  • A U.S. Senator
  • A U.S. Representative
  • A legislative staff member
  • An intern

​

Meetings can happen:

  • In Washington, D.C.
  • At district offices
  • Virtually or by phone

Remember:

Staff meetings are just as valuable.​

​

5 of 16

The 4 Parts of a Legislative Advocacy Meeting

1. Introduce Yourself

​

2. Share Your Story

​

3. Make Your Policy Ask

​

4. Thank Them & Follow Up

​

6 of 16

Potential Roles In a Meeting

Leader

Storyteller

Community Supporter

Policy Asker

Notetaker​

7 of 16

"Hi, my name is Ana, and I’m from Houston, Texas. I’m studying nursing because I want to become a pediatric nurse and take care of children in my community.

​

Growing up, I spent a lot of time playing outside with my friends and even remember making up stories with Barbies, pretending we were doctors and teachers helping people. I didn’t know it then, but I’ve always wanted to do something that helps others.

​

As a Dreamer, immigration policy affects my ability to fully plan my future—from internships to whether I can fully pursue the career I’ve worked so hard for.

​

I’m not asking for anything special—just the opportunity to use my education to give back to the community that raised me. I hope you’ll keep students like me in mind when making decisions that shape our futures."

8 of 16

 "The Ask": Help Us Fight for the Dream Act

The Ask:

“We ask you to support + champion the Dream Act.”�

What does that look like?

  • Publicly support the Dream Act (floor speeches, social media posts, op eds, etc.)
  • Identify potential partners across the aisle
  • Call on congressional leadership to take up the bill
  • Condemn enforcement actions against Dreamers
  • Call on the White House to protect DACA holders and to open the program to new applicants.

9 of 16

Tips for a Successful Meeting

✔ Be respectful and professional�

✔ Keep comments concise

​

✔ Take Notes�

✔Follow up with a thank you and any information promised

​

✔ Take pride in showing up

​

Yerix, TheDream.US Alumna

Shares Her Experience

10 of 16

Practice Time

Breakout Session Instructions

​

Volunteer for a role: leader, storyteller, community supporter, policy asker

​

  • Leader opens and frames the meeting,
  • Storyteller shares personal story
  • Community supporter brings another perspective
  • Policy asker asks for support of the Dream Act
  • Notetaker takes notes.

​

​

11 of 16

Meet Your Breakout Leaders

Mariajose Martinez Lopez

Lynn University

Brajan Funes

Purdue Global University

Michael Earls

TheDream.US

Susan Collins

TheDream.US

Hyein Lee

TheDream.US

Eileen Cunha

NP Agency

12 of 16

  • Practice session read-outs

​

  • Questions and Answers

13 of 16

14 of 16

Schedule Your Meeting

Find your member

  • House.gov => enter your zip code +4
  • Senate.gov => choose state under "Find Your Senators"
  • Ok to meet with their staff

​

Request the meeting

  • Online form, “scheduling request”
  • Call the local or the DC office
  • Email the scheduler or the legislative aid (immigration or higher ed)

​

Resources

  • Quick Guide for meetings
  • Hill Leave-Behind
  • How to tell your story
  • All advocacy sessions on YouTube playlist here

​

​

15 of 16

YOUR NEXT STEPS

#1: Request a meeting online

#2: Prepare: Do your research, have your story and policy ask ready

#3: Decide who will go with you and what role each one plays

#4: Attend the meeting, be concise and respectful

#5: Thank them, leave the Dream Act 2-pager, and follow up.

​

​

​

16 of 16

YOU MATTER

Your story matters and your advocacy makes a difference.

​

Legislators and staff need to hear directly from the people impacted by their decisions.

​

Please join the D.R.E.A.M Team (Dreamers Rising, Educating, Advocating, Mobilizing) HERE for ongoing support and resources.

​