Chamberlain Extends a Hand to Undocumented Illinoisans during DREAM Relief Day

Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Government Relations and DeVry University joined the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) and more than 12,000 undocumented Illinoisans for DREAM Relief Day at Chicago’s Navy Pier on Wednesday. Senator Dick Durbin, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Mayor Rahm Emanuel were also in attendance at this important event.

President Obama signed an executive order in June that provides temporary relief for undocumented individuals to either attend school or seek employment without risk of deportation. The memorandum offers hope to more than 75,000 youth in Illinois who are eligible for permanent legal status under the proposed federal DREAM Act. DREAM Relief Day was the first opportunity for undocumented students to apply for the President’s “deferred action” initiative, shielding them from deportation and making them eligible for work permits, driver’s licenses and other basic protections.

The Illinois DREAM event was among the nation’s largest, providing full-service assistance to approximately 1,500 eligible youth that included help with completing deferred action applications. In addition, approximately 7,500 DREAM Act-eligible youths received free information and consultation on site. All attendees were given an information packet including a list of required supporting documents, an eligibility checklist, attorney referrals, a listing of GED programs, and upcoming workshop dates and locations.

Chamberlain and DeVry University were among the higher education institutions that hosted informational booths at Navy Pier to provide attendees with information about the institutions and degree programs.

“Since 1931, DeVry has sought to provide quality education programs to those who want a better life for themselves and their families,” said Sharon Thomas Parrott, senior vice president of external relations and chief regulatory compliance officer. “Chamberlain and DeVry University’s participation in DREAM Day is one more way we continue to deliver on that guiding philosophy.”

Extensive media coverage of the event includes this video clip from NBC Chicago and an article in The Chicago Tribune.

By Molly Mattison