In light of the DREAM Act's defeat, young people across New York are now focusing their efforts on urging President Obama to put a halt to the deportations of undocumented children and students.

"This isn't over for any of us; the battle continues. The Senate's decision to not pass the DREAM Act pains us greatly, but we will not give up," said Daniela, a member of the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC). (Daniela did not wish to give her last name.)

These young people carried out 80 demonstrations over the course of 2010 to ask politicians and local and national representatives to support the DREAM Act. Now they will re-direct their energy towards encouraging Obama to end the deportations of undocumented youth.

"The battle isn't entirely lost. President Obama has the power to prevent more students from being deported. We also want to ask him to provide financial relief to undocumented students who can't pay their college tuition because they don't have legal status," said Daniela, who is 23 and graduated from CUNY with a degree in business administration.

Remaining optimistic

The NYSYLC, comprised of hundreds of students from around the state, remains in high spirits and hopes to start off 2011 with renewed energy.

"Here we are, living in this country as immigrants. We aren't hiding from reality. We simply want to make the lives of other young people much easier, even though they don't have papers," stated the NYSYLC, and added that it will continue to run programs for undocumented students in New York State.