The possibility exists that the Congress adopt the "DREAM ACT" before the end of this term. However, this possibility is not very high because there are not, at present, the necessary votes for approval. But we must be optimistic and do everything possible to get pass this law.
The letters "DREAM ACT" is the acronym for "Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors", the draft law presented by first time inby Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Richard Durbin, Democrat of Illinois, if approved would benefit 2.5 million undocumented children who were brought into the country when they were just a child..
Currently an estimated 65 000 undocumented youth are graduating from high school and are unable to get federal grants or loans to pay for technical studies or university, amounts many times two to three times the amount you pay as a resident student. To complete the dismal picture of undocumented student, college graduates can not get to practice being illegal.
For these young people to qualify and receive a temporary residence for up to six years, must meet the following requirements: have come to this country before age 16, have lived continuously for the past five years in this country, and speak English. Once they finish their studies or have served their military service may apply for permanent residence.
These young people do not have to pay for the mistakes of their parents, it is not their fault that they were brought here being children. It will also be a skilled, productive workforce, paying taxes, helping the growth of our economy. On the other hand, if these young people had to return to their countries of origin, would be returning to a country they do not know and facing a language that we no longer speak.
Senators Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Majority Leader, and Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) will submit, before the end of this Congress, for debate, this bill known as the "DREAM ACT." It is the third time this bill takes the Congress and we hope that this time is passed. We can not give up in the last minute.
At first, the "DREAM ACT" was part of the whole package of immigration reform, but because of the difficulties for the passage of this law, it was decided that strategically it might be more viable to get the approval of the "DREAM ACT" separately.
Hopefully lawmakers will put aside the "politicking" and once and for all agree to discuss and approve this law, ignoring all those people who pressure them not to do so, because these people have forgotten or do not know that this is a country of immigrants and their ancestors also came from their countries of origin to this great nation of opportunity for everyone equally.
All organizations that have been working so actively for the "DREAM ACT" and all young people who have devoted so much time in this fight, should intensify efforts in these critical moments, it could be "at slides" as the adoption of longed law in this Congress, because with the new Congress that begins sessions in January 2011, will be harder to get approved.
Carlos H. Heredia
Houston Texas
November 29, 2010
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