Laurene Powell Jobs and Ron Conway: Help Our Fellow Americans | Disrupt SF 2017

TL;DR

People can support DREAMers by contacting legislators about the DREAM Act and contributing to DACA renewal funds. Laurene Powell Jobs and Ron Conway focus on 800,000 affected individuals after DACA was rescinded, explaining that the program had protected childhood arrivals from deportation and enabled work permits. Read on to understand the legislation, College Track’s connection to the issue, and ways the tech community can act.

Transcript

hello thank you for welcoming us to the stage I know that Ron is a common visionary that's turned to in the tech community and but today's not talking about tech per se as an investment he's talking with me about how the tech community can become active in some of the social issues of today and funny enough Laureen and I have been prepping for toda... Read More

Key Insights

• Laurene Powell Jobs founded College Track to support first-generation college-bound students.
• The DREAM Act aims to provide legal status to undocumented individuals brought to the U.S. as children.
• DACA, introduced by Obama, protected young immigrants from deportation, but was rescinded by Trump.
• Over 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children.
• Artists like JR and Alejandro Inarritu use their work to raise awareness about immigration issues.
• The tech industry heavily relies on immigrant talent, highlighting the economic impact of immigration.
• There is a critical need for comprehensive immigration reform to align with American values and economic needs.
• Ron Conway and Laurene Powell Jobs urge the public to contact legislators to support the DREAM Act.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can individuals support DREAMers and immigration reform?

Individuals can contact their legislators and advocate for passage of the DREAM Act. They can also support DACA renewal funds that help eligible people cover application costs.

Q: What did DACA provide for DREAMers?

DACA protected students brought to the United States as children from being targeted for deportation. It also allowed them to obtain work permits and, where permitted by state law, access in-state tuition for higher education.

Q: Why did the speakers say action was urgent?

President Trump had recently rescinded DACA, an executive action established by President Obama in 2012. Laurene Powell Jobs said this created a window of heightened awareness around a situation affecting 800,000 individuals.

Q: What is the DREAM Act intended to do?

The DREAM Act is intended to provide legal status to undocumented people who were brought to the United States as children. Laurene Powell Jobs described the first DREAM Act petition she helped present to legislators toward the end of 2001.

Q: How did College Track lead Laurene Powell Jobs into immigration reform work?

Powell Jobs founded College Track after meeting students who lacked the guidance and required courses needed to apply to four-year colleges. Four years later, some participating students discovered that they lacked Social Security numbers, legal status, and access to state or federal education funding, prompting her immigration advocacy.

Q: What educational barriers did the students face before College Track?

At the high school Powell Jobs visited, 33 of 35 seniors had not taken the courses required to apply to a four-year college. The school had one guidance counselor for 1,800 students, and many students were first-generation Americans and would be first-generation college students.

Q: How long had Laurene Powell Jobs worked on immigration reform by Disrupt SF 2017?

She said she had worked on the issue for 16 years, beginning in 2001. Her initial efforts included gathering signatures in the Bay Area and presenting a petition connected to the first DREAM Act.

Q: What role can the tech community play in supporting DREAMers?

Ron Conway and Laurene Powell Jobs urged the tech community to become active in social issues, particularly immigration reform. The actions highlighted include raising awareness, advocating for the DREAM Act, contacting legislators, and financially supporting DACA renewals.

Summary

In this video, Ron Conway and Laurene Powell Jobs discuss how the tech community can become more involved in social issues, specifically focusing on immigration reform and the DREAM Act. They talk about their personal experiences with organizations like College Track and how they have seen the impact of immigration policies on students. They also highlight the important role that artists and cultural purveyors play in raising awareness and changing perspectives on these issues. They urge the audience to take action by contacting their representatives and supporting the DREAM Act and the DACA renewal fund.

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Laurene Powell Jobs to start College Track?

Laurene Powell Jobs started College Track because she visited a local high school and realized that many students were interested in attending college but hadn't taken the necessary courses or received guidance on the admission process. This was particularly true for first-generation American students who didn't have the resources or knowledge at home or in their community. Laurene decided to start College Track to provide support and opportunities for these students.

Q: How did College Track become involved in immigration reform?

Four years after starting College Track, Laurene Powell Jobs discovered that a significant number of her students didn't have social security numbers or legal documentation. They were undocumented and had no access to state or federal funding for their education. Recognizing the need for immigration reform, Laurene started advocating for the DREAM Act and gathering signatures to support it. This led to the introduction of the first DREAM Act in Congress.

Q: Why has immigration reform been a challenging issue to address?

Immigration reform has been a challenging issue because it often becomes a political football, with different parties and politicians prioritizing their own interests over the rights and voices of undocumented individuals. The lack of political power and resources of the affected individuals makes it easier for their rights to be overlooked. Additionally, passing comprehensive immigration reform requires bipartisan support, which has been difficult to achieve.

Q: How has President Trump's administration affected immigration policies?

President Trump's administration has made immigration a major issue, with the rescission of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) being a notable example. DACA provided protected status for individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children, allowing them to work and access certain benefits. The rescission has increased awareness and urgency surrounding immigration issues, including the DREAM Act.

Q: Why is it important for the tech community to support immigration reform?

Immigrants have played a significant role in building and advancing the tech industry, with more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies being founded by immigrants and their children. The success and growth of the tech industry depend on attracting and retaining talent from around the world. Failing to support immigration reform would be economically detrimental to the industry and the country as a whole.

Q: How have artists contributed to raising awareness about immigration issues?

Artists, like visual artist JR and film director Alejandro Inarritu, have used their work to raise awareness and challenge perceptions about immigration. JR created powerful artwork, such as a giant crib-like structure near the U.S.-Mexico border, to make people rethink the purpose and impact of walls. Inarritu directed an immersive VR experience that allows participants to experience the fear and tension of a border crossing, humanizing the people affected by immigration policies. Artists like Davis Guggenheim have also made documentaries highlighting the experiences of Dreamers and the importance of the DREAM Act.

Q: How has Ron Conway been involved in supporting Dreamers?

Ron Conway has been involved in supporting Dreamers through his involvement with College Track and his collaboration with musician and entrepreneur will.i.am. Together, they started a College Track branch in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, a community with many Dreamers. They integrated coding and robotics into the program and helped Dreamers pursue STEM majors. Ron Conway also emphasizes the need for support in renewing DACA status, including financial assistance for fees.

Q: What are some action items that individuals can take to support Dreamers?

One action item is to contact Congress, specifically Kevin McCarthy, the house leader, to urge the passage of the DREAM Act. This can be done by visiting the Emerson Collective Dreamers website and using a script provided to call McCarthy's office. Another action item is to contribute to the DACA renewal fund to help Dreamers afford the renewal fees. The fund has information on Dreamers who need support and individuals can contribute to their GoFundMe pages.

Takeaways

The tech community has a vital role to play in advocating for immigration reform and supporting DACA recipients and Dreamers. By raising awareness, engaging with artists, and taking action, individuals can help ensure that the rights and future of these individuals are protected. It is not only an economic imperative but also a matter of upholding the values and identity of the United States as a country that welcomes and embraces immigrants.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Laurene Powell Jobs and Ron Conway discuss the critical need for immigration reform, focusing on the DREAM Act, which seeks to protect young undocumented immigrants from deportation. They emphasize the tech industry's reliance on immigrant talent and urge viewers to contact legislators to support the act.

• The video highlights the economic contributions of immigrants, noting that over 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Artists like JR and Alejandro Inarritu use their platforms to raise awareness about immigration issues, demonstrating the cultural impact of the movement.

• Viewers are encouraged to take action by contacting legislators and supporting DACA renewal funds. The speakers emphasize the urgency of the situation, given the Trump administration's rescission of DACA, and the need for public support to pass the DREAM Act.