Democratic Congress makes one last push for DREAM Act

[pampango]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

Seizing a window of opportunity before the new year ushers in a more conservative Congress, Democratic lawmakers and a handful of Republicans are leading a final charge to pass the DREAM Act, a youth-oriented immigration reform policy that would have its deepest impact in California.

Illegal immigrants who entered the country before their 16th birthday would have a chance at citizenship through the DREAM Act if they can graduate from high school, go to college or into the military, and stay out of trouble.

"They didn't come here through their own free choice," said Congressman George Miller, D-Martinez, who is helping line up House supporters for a vote on the bill that could happen as early as this week. "Why would we not get the benefit of their achieving an education? Many of them are performing at very high levels in high school."

A poll taken after the Nov. 2 midterm elections found that three quarters of California voters, including most Republicans, are in favor of a policy resembling the DREAM Act. Eighty-five percent of Democratic voters and 68 percent of Republican voters in the state support granting citizenship to people who came to the country illegally as children and have since gone through college or military service, according to the poll by the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Times.

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_16719680?nclick_check=1

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act

2010

The DREAM Act, along with a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, was incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2011. On September 21, 2010, the Senate filibuster of the bill by all Republican senators and one Democrat was maintained in a 56-43 vote; it would have taken 60 votes to stop the filibuster and continue the progress of the bill.

On September 22, 2010, Richard Durbin introduced the bill once again along with Richard Lugar. The total number of cosponsors was 2, but the DREAM Act was defeated again.

On November 16, 2010, Obama and top Democrats called to introduce the Dream Act into the House by November 29th.

[lunatica]

1. I hope they pass it. This country will benefit with this

[xchrom]

2. fingers crossed! nt

[Oceansaway]

3. K&R...n/t

[No Elephants]

4. This will really put Republicons between a rock and a hard place.

Exactly where I enjoy seeing them.


Rove must have a big headache, just right for his Big Giant Head.

[Iliyah]

7. Why would it?

The corporate media will put it square on the Dems and Pres. O. Ya know the GOP tea bats are NEVER wrong. Thats why we need our own media outlet. MSNBC tries with the 3-4 shows at night, but we need a constant reminder of whats truly happening.

What makes a strong country is not the corporate monies and heads, but the people. Thats something that some of the rich doesn't quite understand OR do not care. This is the most greedy period in our history at the cost of the country. They are not patriots, but are against this country, ie money money money - power.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. And a few Democrats as well

There are DUers who don't support the Dream Act.

[pampango]

14. Jeff Sessions (AL-R) seems to enjoy that location.

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/11/jeff_sessions_criticized_by_im.html

A pro-immigration group lashed out at U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions last week, accusing the Mobile Republican of demagoguery and fear-mongering in his opposition to a proposal to grant legal residency to illegal immigrants to go to college or join the military. Frank Sharry, executive director of America’s Voice, said in a prepared statement that Sessions was giving immigrants the “Sotomayor” treatment, a reference to his opposition to the appointment of the nation’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor.

“Jeff Sessions is blowing the dog whistle of demagoguery to rally opposition to the DREAM Act,” Sharry said. “He and his staff are trying to paint young immigrant kids – who grew up in America, did everything asked of them, and want the chance to go to college or serve in the military – as criminals and a drain on society. This is factually inaccurate and morally reprehensible. This type of attack didn’t work for Sharron Angle in Nevada in 2010 and it won’t work for the Republican Party in 2012 or long-term.”

As for the legislation, a spokesman for Sessions on the Judiciary Committee, Stephen Miller, said the bill goes far beyond giving legal residency to illegal immigrant children to attend college or join the military. “The DREAM Act is a proposal for mass amnesty that would even include those who have committed serious criminal offenses,” Miller said. “It would add millions of newly authorized workers at a time when Americans are struggling with high unemployment and recession.”

America’s Voice cited a fact sheet by the National Immigration Law Center in arguing that students who committed crimes or were deemed a security risk would be ineligible. America’s Voice called the DREAM Act a “narrowly tailored,” bipartisan effort that would strengthen the military and improve the country’s economic competitiveness.

[pinto]

5. Kick

:kick:

[blondeatlast]

6. This is a win--I've already called my slug slime (er--Rep. Shadegg).

He's retiring so you can bet that he won't listen but I tried. k/r

[earthside]

8. Bad bill.

As long as the upper age limit is 35 years old, well, this is a back door amnesty bill.

[getthefacts]

11. Everyone is subject to the "under 16" age limit

already. Some have been waiting for the Dream Act to pass for 10 years.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. These are young adults who were brought here by their parents as children

They aren't criminals, so this is not amnesty.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. i hope it passes.

[getthefacts]

10. If you support this legislation, would you please

take a moment to call the White House and let the president know? 202-456-1111. The President is been taking a lot of heat for this.

[pinboy3niner]

15. K&R