http://www.aacrao.org/transcript/index. ... oc_id=3264

Written by: Ali Burki
Published: 08/02/2006

Students Waiting for DREAM Act Passage Lost in Immigration Debate
A group of students met with members of Congress as they pushed for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The legislation would allow permenant resident status for illegal immigrant students who came to the U.S. at a very young age and have completed an associate or two years of a bachelor’s degree. Approximately 65,000 eligible students will graduate high school this year.

The legislation stalled once Congress moved away from the immigration reform issue but has left some students in limbo. The affected students and graduates, some with engineering and science degrees from the most selective universities, complain that they cannot find work given their illegal status and that returning to their respective countries is not an option given that they arrived in the US as small children with little memory or understanding of their native countries.

The bill would allow ‘conditional’ residence status, for a maximum period of six years, to students at least 16 years of age who have grown up in the United States and completed high school. After completing two years of college, community service or joining the military the students would become eligible for permanent residence.

Opponents of the bill argue that it would send the wrong message to potential illegal immigrants and could further flood the country with unlawful entrants.

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Related Links:

Inside Higher Ed
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006 ... mmigration