Bills planned in Senate, House would put illegal immigrant youth on path to legal status

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, May 10, 2:46 PM

WASHINGTON — Democrats are trying once again to advance legislation that would give some young illegal immigrants a chance to live legally in the U.S.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois plans to file a new DREAM Act bill on Wednesday. In the House, Rep. Howard Berman of California plans to file similar legislation.

Generally, to qualify the young immigrants must have a high school diploma or the equivalent and have spent two years in college or the military. They must have been under 16 when they arrived in the U.S.

At least one Republican, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, is co-sponsoring the House bill.

The bill filings would follow a speech Tuesday in Texas on immigration by President Barack Obama.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ ... story.html