Support the Dream Act

On March 26, 2008 Senators Dick Durbin(D-IL), Richard Lugar (R-IN) and U.S. Reps. Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced the the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, commonly known as the DREAM Act. This bill is first sign that Congress is showing a renewed interest in comprehensive immigration law reform despite the recent domination in Congressional activity of matters related to the economic crisis.

The Dream Act seeks to provide some relief to one of the most worthy groups of illegal immigrants - children. Immigration law attorneys and others involved in immigration law in the U.S. are regularly confronted with children who are illegally in the U.S. at no fault of their own. Under current immigration law there is little that can be done to help these children. Many of them were brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents at a very young age and have no real ties to their countries of birth. They have grown up here, been educated here, and know no other life. The Dream Act aspires to offer them hope and an opportunity to pursue the American Dream.

In its current form, the bill would offer relief to undocumented children who meet the following requirements:

• Must have entered the U.S. more than five years ago
• Must have been under the age of 16 when they entered the U.S.
• Must complete 2 years of college or military service.

The Dream Act is a great first step in renewing the debate and efforts for much need comprehensive immigration law reform.

Please write your Senator or U.S. representative today in support of the Dream Act.