This was in my email box this morning:



Dear Mrs. (cayla):



Thank you for your letter regarding the "Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act" (S. 774), commonly known as the DREAM Act. I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.



Many foreign born children, through no fault of their own, find themselves with no legal immigration status in our country. These children have lived in the United States most of their childhood and attended elementary and high school here, but are unable to go to college or enlist in the military because of their immigration status. The DREAM Act would grant permanent resident status to these deserving youth so they can further their education or serve in our nation's military.



For many years I have cosponsored this legislation in the Senate because I believe it is in our national interest to provide talented students who have clearly embraced the American dream with a path toward becoming responsible, contributing, law-abiding members of our society.



Recently, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) considered trying to amend the "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008" (H.R. 1585) to include the DREAM Act. I would support such an amendment should it be introduced. While we do not necessarily agree on this particular topic, please know that your opinions are important to me, and I will keep them in mind as we continue to debate immigration reform proposals in the 110th Congress.



Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on issues of importance to you. Should you have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.

Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/inde ... nup.Signup.