- March 26, 2010
- Category: Immigration Law
According to Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois and Rep. Howard Berman of California, about 65,000 high school graduates in the United States every year face limited prospects due to their undocumented status. Most have been in their country for years due to decisions made by their parents when they were children.
Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, undocumented young people could be eligible for a conditional path to citizenship in exchange for completion of a college degree or two years of military service. Undocumented young people must also demonstrate good moral character to be eligible for and stay in conditional residency. At the end of the process, the young person can finally become an American citizen. See: Dream Act
The senators proposed this legislation on March 26, 2009. Why not create hope for young people? This would seem like a great way to accomplish that.
I am not convinced that President Obama has the momentum for comprehensive immigration reform. Health Care Reform will continue to be a contentious issue for him. He should choose instead to support small bits of immigration reform. The StartUp Visa Act and the DREAM Act can create value in our economy.
Sincerely,
John M. Manley