2 ASU grads arrested over DREAM Act protest

TEMPE, AZ - While sitting inside an Arizona State University building Erika Andiola and Dulce Matuz scroll through photos on their laptop.

The two girls look like typical students as they glance through updates on their Facebook pages, however, both were recently arrested in Washington, D.C.

"It was a group of us," said Matuz when referring to the arrests. "It was 22 students who were arrested."

Matuz said a group of students went to several U.S. Senators' offices, including Arizona Senator John McCain's, and refused to leave.

"We wanted to talk to the Senators and then when we refused to leave they said we would be arrested, so we were," said Matuz.

When asked about the charges, while giggling, Matuz said, "unlawful entry, those are the charges."

The two women found the charges interesting because both admit they are not United States citizens.

"I'm undocumented," said Matuz.  "All the 22 students that were doing the civil disobedience were undocumented."

"All I'm trying to do is the right thing," said Andiola. "I'm trying to succeed in life and have my family have a better future."

Matuz graduated from ASU with a degree in electrical engineering.  Andiola received a psychology degree.

"Once you have a degree you're hoping to actually use it and I can't so that's what I am waiting for, waiting for an opportunity," said Andiola while sitting next to the computer with photos of her and others in Washington, D.C.

The group went to Washington aiming to generate attention for the DREAM Act.

The DREAM Act was a bill introduced last year that would potentially provide temporary residency to students if they meet certain criteria including, graduating from high school, moving on to higher education, have good moral standing and arrive in the United States as a minor.

The bill has not gained momentum in the U.S. House or Senate.

"I've been in this country since I was 11-years old," said Andiola.  "I don't even remember my country of origin that much and I just don't think they should be deporting dreamers."

The two women say upon being arrested they were not turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and must return to Washington, D.C. in the coming months to face a judge regarding their charges.