///Rapid Response 07/15/07
DREAM Act

With the failure of comprehensive immigration reform in this Congress, there is a possibility that the DREAM Act may be offered as an amendment to a Defense Department Authorization bill this week. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) announced on July 13th that he, Chuck Hagel (R-NE), and Richard Lugar (R-IN) will introduce the DREAM Act as an amendment to H.R. 1585, the Department of Defense authorization bill, which is now being debated in the Senate. The amendment will need 60 votes to pass.

The provisions of the DREAM Act amendment are expected to be word for word identical to S. 774. It would provide a six-year path to permanent residence and eventual citizenship for persons brought to the United States at least five years ago as undocumented children under the age of 16, if they graduate from high school and continue on to college or military service.

Immigration advocates are encouraging persons to contact both of their Senators and encourage them to vote for the Durbin-Hagel-Lugar DREAM Act Amendment to H.R. 1585 so that undocumented children brought to the United States, through no fault of their own, can realize their full potential.

For your information, several Disciples congregations have been praying for this legislation to pass so that members of their congregation will have an opportunity for a college education, which would not be possible without this legislation.