Help Deserving Students Earn a Path to Legal Residency
“Mohammad” came to the United States with his parents from Iran when he was three years old. Due to a minor immigration technicality, his family’s application was turned down, resulting in their “out of status” condition. If the DREAM Act were passed, “Mohammad,” who is now 23 could become a permanent resident and would be able to obtain his bachelor’s degree in social work and pursue his dream of working in the immigration field.
The Development, Relief, and Education for Minors (DREAM) Act has been reintroduced for consideration in the 111th Congress. The bipartisan measure seeks to provide undocumented high school students the opportunity to earn permanent residency. The DREAM Act has been introduced in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN). A similar version known as the American Dream Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Howard Berman (D-28th/CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL/21st).
The DREAM Act would allow undocumented students to obtain legal status if they arrived in the U.S. at the age of 15 or younger, have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years, have graduated from high school, have good moral character, and are willing to serve in the military or attend college for at least two years.
Supporters of the DREAM Act firmly believe that such legislation would offer motivated students, who through no fault of their own are out of status, a real incentive to attend college, serve their country, and become valued members of American society. “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 Senator Durbin. “They are honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, and valedictorians.”
The DREAM Act is supported by a broad coalition of immigrant, labor, civil liberties, and religious organizations. The bill has also received massive support from many student organizations around the country, notably Hispanic American and Latino-American organizations. Many of these organizations have now banded together to create umbrella coalitions in order to strengthen and unify their support for the DREAM Act.
Click here to learn more about the DREAM Act.
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Urge your members of Congress to support the DREAM Act.
