thesunchroncicle.com
THURSDAY MAY 20, 2010 Last modified: Thursday, May 20, 2010 3:02 AM EDT
Students push Brown on immigration idea

Senator said undecided on issue

Student immigrant advocates are hoping they can convince U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., to support a proposal that would allow undocumented students to gain residency if they opt to join the military.

Members of the Boston-based group known as the Student Immigrant Movement say they have collected more than 1,000 letters of support for a bill known as the Dream Act. The bill would open an avenue to conditional residency for college students who are illegally in the country.

Harvard student Kyle de Beausset said he met with Brown on behalf of the group earlier this month. He said the Republican showed interest in the military provision, but made no commitment.

Indiana Republican Sen. Richard Lugar and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois last year introduced the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act in Congress.

The proposal would grant conditional legal status to youth who successfully complete high school or the equivalent. They then would have six years to graduate from college or a trade school or join the military.

Brown spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said the Wrentham Republican, who opposed granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants as a state senator, has not decided on the Dream Act.

"He will review the legislation if and when it comes before the Senate," Gitcho said.

Renata Teodoro, the group's development director, said students now want Brown to meet undocumented students who would join the military.

"We have people ready to join the military and fight for this country - our country," Teodoro said.

http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles ... 415384.txt