By Adam Varahachaikol
Channel 2 News

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One local church is hosting several young people who are trying to bring attention to the DREAM Act.

“We are just happy to host these young people as they journey from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. To push for the passage of the Dream Act,” says Rev. Neal Anderson of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada.

Six people from all across the U.S. met in San Francisco on March 10th to begin the long walk to Washington, D.C.

Organizers say they will visit 285 communities in 13 different states to raise awareness about the DREAM Act – and why they think it should pass.

The bill would provide conditional permanent residency to currently illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors and lived in the country for at least five years before the bill’s enactment.

They must graduate from U.S. high schools and graduate from college or complete two years in the military.

They would then gain temporary residency for a six year period.

Organizers say the passage of the bill would benefit the nation. “There’s a tremendous amount of youth and talent that’s basically graduated from these high schools and they’re not allowed to use their talent or give back to the only country they know whether it be socially or economically,” says dream walker Jonatan Martinez.

The walkers hope to reach Washington, D.C. by November 2nd.