Last week the House of Representatives passed the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the DREAM Act, paving the way for an upper chamber vote.
“The DREAM Act is not a symbolic vote. We owe it to the young men and women whose lives will be affected by this bill, and to the country which needs their service in the military and their skills in building our economy, to honestly address this issue," said Sen. Reid and cosponsor Assistant Majority Leader Sen. Dick Durbin, (D-Ill.) in a joint statement released the day after the House vote.
"Members on both sides of the aisle need to ask themselves if we can afford to say to these talented young men and women there is no place in America for you,” the senators stated.
After the legislature completes the tax package, an omnibus appropriations bill to fund the government next year, and the START treaty, the DREAM Act will come up, Reid promised.
In what many observers are calling a deft procedural move, Reid tabled the Senate version of the bill and said they would vote on the House version. Should the Senate pass the bill, it would go straight to the president’s desk.
Long-term supporters of the legislation, including students, pro-immigration groups, and church groups across the country have mobilized in the last couple of weeks to lobby the Senate, as they see a real chance of success.
The act would pave the way for undocumented immigrants up to 30 years of age, who entered the United States illegally before age 16 and have been in the country for five years, to gain lawful citizenship after attending college or serving in the military for two years. Beneficiaries must have “good moral character,” meaning the absence of a criminal record, and have graduated from high school.
After applying, DREAM Act beneficiaries would receive a six-year conditional status and a green card, which allows them to work. During this time they would have to attend some form of post secondary school, or serve in the military. Those who fail to fulfill these requirements would be subject to deportation.
Applicants will pay $2,525 in fees, and $2,000 more five years later to extend the visa.
The government estimated the legislation could benefit approximately 80,000 people. Other estimates run as high as 2 million.
The administration’s position is that the DREAM Act is a “common-sense” legislation that is good for our economy, for our security, and for the nation.
Congress first introduced the DREAM Act concept in 2003, and it has reappeared periodically since then. The House last passed a version of the bill in December 2005.
A Gallup poll conducted between Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 asked over 1,000 Americans whether they would vote in favor of the DREAM Act, with 54 percent saying they would vote in favor, while 42 percent said they were against it. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percent.
Wrong Message?
Some who oppose the bill call it an amnesty, and fear that immigrants will compete with Americans for spaces in colleges and for jobs.
They place less importance on the fact that the children entered through no fault of their own. They say we should not reward parents for acting against the law in the first place, because it sets a precedent encouraging more illegal immigration.
Ira Mehlman, National spokesman with the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said his organization opposes the DREAM Act because it sends the wrong message.
“You have to have things in place that make it clear to people that even if you can get here illegally … you are not going to benefit because you are not going to get a job, you are not going to get access to benefits and services, [and] you are not going to get access to all sorts of things so there is no point to it,” said Mehlman.
“The DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people. It insults American workers, American taxpayers, and anyone who believes in the rule of law,” said Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) during last week’s House debate.
The administration strongly supported the bill this week, with five articles about it posted by top staff.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, argued the Act provides a “firm, but fair means” for individuals to adjust their status, and would allow the DHS to focus its limited resources on removing criminal aliens who pose a threat to our national security and public safety.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan wrote, “It goes against the basic American sense of fairness to punish children for the choices of their parents. … We need to act before we lose this generation. It’s who we are as Americans, at our best. The time is now.”
Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, and Dr. Clifford L. Stanley, undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness also made statements supporting the DREAM Act.
