Monday, May 16, 2011

33 U.S. Senate Democrats Reintroduced The DREAM Act

Photo: HNG

Bill will help immigrant students earn a path to citizenship and House of Representatives introduced similar DREAM Act.

By H. Nelson Goodson
May 16, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Last week,  Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 30 other Senators introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, according to a press release by Senator Durbin's office. The bill will give undocumented students a chance to earn legal status, if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and complete two years of college or military service in good standing.
A similar bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, (R-FL) and Luis Gutierrez (D-IL).
Passing the DREAM Act could benefit the U.S. economy by helping to cut about $1.4 to $2.3 billion from the federal deficit in ten years. The DREAM Act would also stimulate the American economy.
A UCLA study concluded that DREAM Act participants could contribute $1.4 - $3.6 trillion to the U.S. economy during their working lives. College students under the DREAM Act are expected to earn about 60% more than students with only a high school education, according to the White House.
“Our immigration laws prevent thousands of young people from fully contributing to our nation’s future. These young people have lived in this country for most of their lives. It is the only home they know. They are American in every sense except their technical legal status,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader and author of the DREAM Act Dick Durbin. “They are honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists and valedictorians. These children are tomorrow’s doctors, nurses, teachers, policemen, firefighters, soldiers, and senators, and we should give them the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“The DREAM Act will give children brought to this nation by their parents through no fault of their own – children who in many cases have known no other country – the opportunity to earn legal status. Only those who stay in school and out of trouble, and who go on to college or to defend our country in the armed forces would be eligible. Allowing these students to become productive citizens is not only good for them – it makes economic sense, would reduce our deficit by $2.2 billion in a decade and would strengthen our military and national security,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.
"We should not punish children for their parents’ past decisions. The students who would be helped by the DREAM Act did not make the decision to enter this country in an undocumented fashion. They've followed the rules, worked hard in school and now they want to serve this country in the military or get a higher education. Equally important, they love the United States, the only home many of them have known, and should be permitted to continue here in pursuit of the American Dream,” Senator Robert Menendez said.
“The DREAM Act is a critical step to reforming our immigration system,” said Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT). “This legislation will enable a well-deserving group of young people to better serve our country. I was disappointed last year when the Senate was not allowed to even debate the DREAM Act, but I am committed to working with Senator Durbin, Leader Reid and others to advance this important bill.”
In order to be eligible for the DREAM Act individuals must have;

  • Come to the U.S. as children (15 or under)
  • Be long-term U.S. residents (continuous physical presence for at least five years)
  • Have good moral character
  • Graduate from high school or obtain a GED
  • Complete two years of college or military service in good standing

DREAM Act participants are not eligible for Pell and other federal grants and are subject to tough criminal penalties for fraud. DREAM Act applicants must apply within one year of obtaining a high school degree/GED or the bill’s enactment; and must prove eligibility by a preponderance of the evidence. To be eligible, an individual must submit biometric information; undergo background checks and a medical exam; register for the Selective Service; demonstrate the ability to read, write, and speak English; and demonstrate knowledge of the history and government of the U.S. An individual cannot qualify if he or she is ineligible for immigration relief on criminal or national security grounds.
In the 111th Congress, the DREAM Act passed the House and received a strong bipartisan majority vote from 55 Senators. According to a recent poll by Opinion Research Corporation 70% of likely voters favor the DREAM Act, including 60% of Republicans.
The following Senators are also cosponsors of the DREAM Act: Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Carl Levin (D-MI), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Al Franken (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Kerry (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mark Udall (D-CO), and Sheldon Whitehouse.

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