http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/po ... uba_1.html

Florida Politics

DREAM Act backed by Miami Cuban Americans

By William Gibson
December 9, 2010 02:34 PM
Cuban-American Republicans from Miami helped House Democrats pass the DREAM Act on Wednesday. The morning after, Florida Republican Senator George LeMieux joined opponents in the Senate.


The Floridians are playing a significant role in the heated debate over the controversial immigration bill.

The DREAM Act was deferred but remained alive when the Senate voted 59 to 40 on Thursday to shelve its version of the bill. Majority Leader Harry Reid decided to allow time for momentum to build before bringing up the House-passed version next week.

If the Senate passes the House version, it will go straight to the White House to be signed into law. Supporters appear unlikely to muster the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster and bring about final action, but they hope House passage will turn the tide.

The bill would allow illegal immigrants who were brought to this country before age 16 to remain here legally if they go to college or serve in the military.

The House passed the bill 216 to 198. Only eight Republicans voted for it, while 38 Democrats voted “no.â€