Leon E. Panetta, former Clinton White House Chief of Staff, son of Italian immigrants and member of the Independent Task Force on Immigration and America's Future since 2005, has been picked to lead the CIA. While the pick has raised controversy, others applaud Obama's likely confirmation of an immigration rights champion.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

If you support the DREAM Act, now is your chance to help make the issue a priority in 2009.

On January 16th, Change.org will present its top 10 "ideas for change" to the Obama administration at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The top 10 issues are chosen from Change.org's Ideas for Change in America competition, created in response to president-elect Barack Obama's desire to have more American people involved in their government.

In addition to the January 16th presentation, Change.org will also launch a national advocacy campaign behind each top 10 idea to help turn issues like the DREAM Act into policy.

Final round voting begins today and ends at 5pm ET on Thursday, January 15. You can vote for the DREAM Act online at Change.org. (Note: You'll need to do a quick registration if you don't already belong to Change.org. Once you confirm your e-mail address, you can vote for the DREAM Act. Your vote is confirmed when the vote count button changes to from "Vote Now!" to "Voted.")

The children of undocumented parents should not be punished by denying them a chance at legalization. This path to citizenship isn't a free ride: the DREAM Act requires that these children attend college or enlist in the military and show good moral character. Be the voice for these children. Vote now.

Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

From politics to Postville, 2008 has been an interesting year for anyone interested in immigration issues. It may not have been the topic around everyone's dinner table as it was in 2007 when the comprehensive immigration reform bill was all anyone could talk about, but it's been a notable year nonetheless. Read about the Top 10 Immigration Issues of 2008 and feel free to comment on your favorite immigration story of the year.

I'd like to thank all of you for following me on this site since I began six months ago. Whether we agree on the issues or not, I welcome the opportunity to have an open dialogue where we can learn from each other. Wishing you the very best in 2009!

Happy New Year!

Hope: a fitting phrase for the new year. This gentleman, standing outside the White House last month during an AIDS activist rally, is one of many hoping that the Obama administration will help people living with AIDS and HIV in the United States. Activists are calling on Obama to show support of Congress' vote to repeal the HIV travel ban and push the Department of Health and Human Services into removing HIV from its list of communicable diseases, so that AIDS and HIV-positive immigrants may be allowed entry into the U.S.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images