Item 2C: Adoption of Resolution Supporting DREAM Act

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ECC DR UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Adoption of Resolution 5001 Supporting the Passage of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (Dream) Act, which Authorizes the Cancellation of Removal and the Adjustment of Status for Certain Immigrant Youths Who Are College Bound and Are Long Term United States Residents and Permit States to Determine State Residency for Purposes of Higher Education Meeting Date: March 8, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 2C Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Holly LeMasurier and Raquel Wells www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5177 ISSUE STATEMENT This consent item is for the City Council to take action regarding a request to adopt a resolution in support of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The resolution is included as Attachment A. BACKGROUND The DREAM Act is bipartisan federal legislation that addresses the situation for young people who grew up in the United States and have graduated from high school or obtained a General Education Development (GED) – high school equivalency diploma, but whose future is circumscribed by our current immigration laws. Under current law, these young people generally derive their immigration status solely from their parents. If their parents are undocumented or in immigration limbo, most youth then have no mechanism to obtain legal residency, even if they have lived most of their lives in the United States. The DREAM Act would provide a mechanism for legal residency for those who are able to meet certain conditions. The DREAM Act would enact two major changes in current law: ? Permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent status, and become eligible for U.S. citizenship, if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military; and ? Eliminate a federal provision penalizing states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status. If enacted, the DREAM Act would have a life-changing impact on the students who qualify, according to the National Immigration Law Center, dramatically increasing their average future earnings - and consequently the amount of taxes they would pay - while significantly reducing criminal justice and social services costs to taxpayers. In fall of 2009, community members and students requested that the Human Rights Commission consider asking the council to endorse a local resolution supporting the DREAM Act. Over the past several months, staff has met with local students, community members and others to research this topic. The commission and Equity and Human Rights staff worked with the City Attorney to review the Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100308\S1003082C.doc