12.09.10

Statement from the Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader on the DREAM Act

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement today on the DREAM Act:

 

“Yesterday the House passed a strong, bipartisan version of the DREAM Act – a narrowly-tailored bill that would allow a select group of immigrant students with great potential to contribute more fully to America.

 

“In light of that vote, the Senate will move to the House-passed version of the bill later this month. In the mean time, we will work with House leaders and the Administration to ensure that the DREAM Act will be law by the end of the year.

 

“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. 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 DREAM Act would give tens of thousands of 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.