Chairman Honda's Statement on Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix

" Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of two young graduate students, Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix, who both died in a tragic car accident on the 25th of May of 2010. They were 27 and 26 years of age, respectively.

Tam Tran was born in Germany to Vietnamese refugee parents and moved to the United States at the age of 6. Denied political asylum in the United States, unable to return to Vietnam for risk of political persecution, and refused entry to Germany, her immigration status was in limbo, but Tran proceeded to excel and graduate from Santiago High school in Garden Grove, California, and be admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). As an undergraduate and vocal supporter of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, she joined Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success (IDEAS), a student organization that advocates for undocumented immigrant youth and students. Tran shared her story in congressional testimony, newspaper interviews, and events across the country. She eventually produced a collaborative student publication entitled, Underground Undergrads: UCLA Undocumented Immigrant Students Speak Out, an account of the struggle facing undocumented UCLA students and relevant legislation. She went on to become a Ph.D. candidate in American Civilization at Brown University.

Cinthya Felix was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of 15. Despite a late start, she eventually graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles at the top of her class and was admitted to UCLA in 2003. As an undocumented student, she conducted research on educational inequalities and was one of the founders of the student run organization IDEAS, where she worked with Tran. She graduated from UCLA in 2007 with a double major in English World Literature and Spanish Literature and was admitted to Masters in Public Health programs at Colombia University and the University of Michigan. Because of her undocumented status, Felix was unable to access financial aid and had to defer her admissions. With much determination, Felix spearheaded an online fundraising campaign and was able to matriculate at Columbia University a year later, becoming the first undocumented student in the history of the school’s public health program. Her goal was to pursue medical school and to return home as a practicing physician to help underserved communities.

Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to continue on and live their American dream, but approximately 65,000 youth are denied this possibility because of their undocumented status. Tran and Felix were both outspoken advocates on this issue. The DREAM act can solve this injustice by allowing qualifying undocumented youth a conditional path to citizenship through the completion of a college degree or military service. As Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I recognize the needs of immigrants, especially those that concern our youth, and have long made comprehensive immigration reform one of our caucus’ top priorities. Although Tran’s and Felix’s lives were tragically cut short, let us not forget their mission. Let us continue to work towards making the DREAM act a law.

Madam Speaker, I ask my fellow members to join me in remembering Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix. The adversity they faced and their stories of perseverance in achieving the American dream are an inspiration to every American student who wishes to pursue life’s endeavors."

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