MD-Senator Mikulski Letter on The DREAM ACT
The DREAM Act
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 11:55 AM
From: "senator@mikulski.senate.gov" <senator@mikulski.senate.gov>
Dear :
Thanks for getting in touch with me regarding your opposition to the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. It's good to hear from you.
I appreciate knowing of your opposition to the DREAM Act. I know you have thought a lot about this issue and I appreciate you sharing your views with me. Unfortunately, we don't agree on this legislation.
The bipartisan DREAM Act would allow immigrant students who are in an institution of higher education to qualify for financial aid. The proposal would not give these students in-state tuition or make them eligible for federal grants but would enable them to apply for private loans to finance their education. I believe that every student should have the freedom to achieve and that freedom should not be limited by the color of your skin or the size of your family's wallet. This bill would also give students who came to the United States as children and join the military or continue their education the opportunity to earn a path toward citizenship.
I want you to know that I believe our nation's immigration system is broken. We need comprehensive immigration reform that protects our borders, protects American jobs and provides a humanitarian solution to the problem of illegal immigration. This means providing more resources to increase border security. It means tougher penalties on employers who hire illegal workers. I also don't believe that we should offer amnesty to illegal immigrants who are currently in the country.
Thanks again for getting in touch with me. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator
P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,
please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov
or call my Washington D.C. office at 202