Item 2C: Adoption of Resolution Supporting DREAM Act

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NILC|.. ATIONAL MMIGRATION AW ENTER WWWNILCORG DREAM Act: Basic Information MARCH 2009 the Senate by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and åÔÛÈÓÉÈÔ×øê÷ûïûÙÈý Richard Lugar (R-IN), and in the House by The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Lincoln Diaz- Minors (DREAM) Act is bipartisan legislation that Balart (R-FL), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), along addresses the situation faced by young people who were with the following original cosponsors. brought to the United States years ago as undocumented immigrant children and who have since grown up here, SENATORSREPRESENTATIVES stayed in school, and kept out of trouble. Russell Feingold (D-WI)Joseph Cao (R-LA) Edward Kennedy (D-MA)John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) åÔÃÓÉÈÔ×øê÷ûïûÙÈÎ××Ø×Øý Each year about 65,000 U.S.–raised students who Patrick Leahy (D-VT)Devin Nunez (R-CA) would qualify for the DREAM Act’s benefits graduate Joe Lieberman (I- CT)Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) from high school. These include honor roll students, Mel Martinez (R-FL)Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) star athletes, talented artists, homecoming queens, and Harry Reid (D-NV)Jared Polis (D-CO) aspiring teachers, doctors, and U.S. soldiers. They are Ileana Ros-Lehtinen young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of (R-FL) their lives and desire only to call this country their home. Even though they were brought to the U.S. years Support for the DREAM Act has grown each year ago as children, they face unique barriers to higher since it was first introduced in 2001 during the 107th education, are unable to work legally in the U.S., and Congress. In past years it has garnered 48 Senate often live in constant fear of detection by immigration cosponsors and more than 152 Republican and authorities. Democratic House cosponsors, more than one-third of Our immigration law currently has no mechanism to the House. It has twice passed the Senate Judiciary consider the special equities and circumstances of such Committee in bipartisan fashion, by a 16-3 vote in the students. The DREAM Act would eliminate this flaw. 2003–04 108th Congress, and again in 2006 by a voice It is un-American to indefinitely and irremediably vote without dissent as an amendment to the punish them for decisions made by adults many years comprehensive immigration reform bill. In May 2006, ago. By enacting the DREAM Act, Congress would the DREAM Act passed the full Senate as part of the legally recognize what is de facto true: these young Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (S. people belong here. 2611). On October 24, 2007, in a 52-44 vote in the DREAM Act students should be allowed to get on Senate, the DREAM Act (S. 2205) fell just 8 votes shy with their lives. If Congress fails to act this year, — with four senators absent for the vote — of the 60 another entire class of outstanding, law-abiding high votes necessary to proceed with debate on the bill. school students will graduate without being able to plan The DREAM Act continues to attract bipartisan for the future, and some will be removed from their support and now, for the first time, also enjoys the homes to countries they barely know. This tragedy will strong backing of the House and Senate leadership, all cause America to lose a vital asset: an educated class of of the relevant committee chairs, and President Obama. promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be —————————— contributing members of our society. öíêïíê÷óîöíêïûèóíîùíîèûùè åÔÛÈÓÉÈÔ×øê÷ûïûÙÈªÉÙÇÊÊ×ÎÈÉÈÛÈÇÉý Adey Fisseha, Interim Federal Policy Director The DREAM Act was reintroduced in the House and fisseha@nilc.org Senate on March 26, 2009. The bill was introduced in LAW,DC OSNGELES(Headquarters)ASHINGTON 3435 Wilshire Boulevard1444 Eye Street, NW Suite 2850Suite 1110 Los Angeles, CA 90010Washington, DC 20005 213 639-3900202 216-0261 213 639-3911 fax202 216-0266 fax