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Local 'dreamers' voice opposition to Gov. Scott immigration law veto

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — An Osceola County commissioner joined local religious leaders to voice opposition to Gov. Rick Scott recent veto of new immigration legislation.

The governor vetoed a law that would allow so-called dreamers, or young immigrants brought to the United States by undocumented parents, to get a driver's license.

Jose Abastia is in his second year at Valencia College.

He's majoring in molecular biology, but he's also keenly interested in politics.

Monday, he joined fellow students calling on Scott to reverse his veto of a bill that would have allowed dreamers like himself to get a driver's license -- a first step, he believes, in building a life of service.

"We, as dreamers, we want that chance. We want the chance to be able to do something for this country," Abastia said.

Abastia said it's more than just driving, because for someone without the means, it makes them different.

"Put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if you worked 120 percent a day and were not given a single chance to push yourself to do a benefit to the community, to do good for this country?" Abastia said.

Osceola County commissioner John Quinones told students at Valencia that he's hopeful the bill vetoed by Scott  will have another chance, especially given its strong support in the legislature.

Quinones said he hopes students like Abastia won't be caught up in the larger debate over immigration.

"A student like Jose, this is their country and this is what they know, and they want to have equality of opportunities," Quinones said.

Quinones and several religious leaders from Osceola County recently met with Scott on the issue, and the commissioner says he believes the governor is willing to reconsider his position.