Narges Taghavi

Feature Editor

Immigration attorney Giovanni Perry speaks to students during the HSA event. Photo Courtesy of Erica Alvarez

The Hispanic Student Association hosted their annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Sept. 27 in the Campus Mall. The event consisted of a taco bar, music from Alegria Real and a salsa cook-off, as well as a panel of those affected by the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act who discussed how it affected other’s lives.

The panel is made up of Giovanni Perry, an immigration attorney, Stephanie Peña, Judith Veronica Huerta-Morfin, a graduate from UCO and Fredy Valenica.

This year’s event focused on the DREAM Act, which offers conditional permanent residency to some undocumented residents based on four requirements consisting of good moral character, graduation from a U.S. high school, entrance to the U.S. before the age of 16 and five years of continued presence.

Contrary to popular belief, the DREAM Act has not been passed. President Obama announced, “deferred action” on June 15, 2012. Deferred action allows those benefitting from the act to remain in the country without threat of deportation, for the time being.

Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America”, HispanicHeritageMonth.gov.“

Photo courtesy of Erica Alvarez