In Memory of DREAM Act Student Leaders Tam & Cinthya

Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix Perez, two UCLA alumni and leaders of the student movement on immigration, were tragically killed in an auto accident on May 15. A Ford pick-up driven by 23 yr old Jon Dow crossed the center line of Maine’s Route 3 and struck the vehicle driven by one of Tam and Cinthya's friends. At their time of death Tam, UCLA '06, was 27 yrs old, and Cinthya, UCLA '07, was 26.

"By all accounts, Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix Perez were outstanding students and beloved leaders who touched many lives with their courage, passion and intellect," said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block in a statement earlier today. "As undocumented immigrant students, they surmounted exceptional hurdles to earn their UCLA degrees, and together with others in a tight-knit community dedicated themselves to helping others in similar circumstances."


photo: Cinthya

Under California's AB 540 legislation, enacted in 2001, undocumented immigrant students are eligible to pay student fees as California residents; however, they are not eligible to receive financial aid or any scholarship funds donated directly to UCLA. Most of the approximately 200 undocumented immigrant students at UCLA are from poor families.

While undergrads, Tam and Cinthya were leaders of UCLA's student club IDEAS (Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success). Tam was a filmmaker, and made films like this one ...



Tam also testified before Congress in 2007, advocating on behalf of the DREAM Act. You can read her testimony here. Two days after her appearance before Congress, the INS tried to detain Tam's family.


photo: Tam

When Tam and Cynthia died, they were both in grad school. Tam was at Brown, in her second year of a Ph.D program in American Civilization. In 2008 she had helped found the Brown Immigrants’ Rights Coalition. Cinthya was at Columbia, finishing her second year in Public Health and on her way to medical school. Cinthya was the first undocumented student to attend Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health.

On Monday, May 17, the UCLA community held a memorial service, with more than 500 people in attendance. Brown held one for Tam on Wednesday evening, April 19 in the Manning Chapel on campus. The university invited both her mother and brother to attend as well as faculty, fellow students, local activists in the Immigration Rights movement, and innumerable friends.

In addition to caring and providing for Cinthya’s three siblings, Cynthia’s parents are struggling financially to cover the costs of the funeral services, including bringing their daughter back to California. Tam is survived by her parents and her younger brother, Lolly, and appreciate any and all support available. If you can help them out then visit their memorial page for more info.