History:
CASA de Maryland is the largest immigrant rights organization in the state. In April 2010, CASA de Maryland's Youth Committee was officially formed after the historic 250,000-strong March for America in Washington D.C. There was broad interest at the time from young leaders to engage and develop their organizing skills in a more deliberate and sustainable way for our movement and our orga
nization. Together, with leaders from other committees within CASA, the youth were able to mobilize large numbers of students to tell their immigrant stories and move legislators to pass the Maryland DREAM Act, our in-state tuition bill, in Annapolis in 2011. After opponents successfully organized to take this victory to public referendum, CYC organized a series of large marches for the DREAM Act throughout Maryland, trained countless speakers, register hundreds of voters, and engaged our communities to win the vote by a 16-point margin, securing a path to higher education for all Marylanders and becoming a key victory for the entire movement. After continuing to push the Obama Administration and the Department of Homeland Security on the record numbers of deportations through direct actions and other means, CYC was at the forefront of implementing strategies which enabled us to process thousands of DACA applications for young people in our region. By relying on volunteers from CYC, CASA de Maryland was able to provide assistance and ultimately legalize over 1,800 young members! Now, CYC has once again been at the forefront of the struggle for Immigration Reform, helping to turn out 100,000 to Washington, DC for the April 10th, 2013 rally for Immigration Reform, and one of its leaders, Ricky, sharing his story and representing the DREAMers and the original DREAMers (parents). A group that began with the sons and daughters of leaders of CASA de Maryland's committees of tenants, day-laborers, and domestic-workers, is now a student-led group of action with members in schools and colleges throughout the counties of Montgomery, Prince George, Anne Arundel, Annapolis, and Baltimore! CYC's GOALS: for all Maryland student, regardless of their immigration status, to:
A) pursue and achieve their dreams by having access to higher education paying in-state tuition; *UPDATE*: On Nov. 6, 2012, CYC's years long dedication and hard-work paid off tremendously with an overwhelming support of 60% of the voters at the ballot box voting in favor of Question 4 - the Maryland Dream Act, one of many ballot measures in the State's elections. After many years of advocacy and organizing, Maryland became the 12th State with a DREAM Act! B) have better job opportunities! *UPDATE*: On June 15th, 2012, President Obama announced the DACA program after years of immigrant students organizing, rallying, marching, and demonstrating in public. DACA allows eligible youth to qualify for immigration's deferred action for two years and a USCIS Work Permit. C) preserve their families by challenging unjust and tough immigration enforcement;
D) advocate to improve public safety in immigrant communities and social spaces;
E) thrive freely from discrimination and fear, including passing CIR that includes 11 million undocumented people;
F) have their young but powerful voices heard in civic life;
G) and protect their rights and those of their families and communities they occupy.
