Thread: Letter from Feinstein discussing her view of the Dream Act

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



Unfortunately, we have different points of view on this issue. I am disappointed that the Senate failed to pass the DREAM Act when it came up for a vote in the Senate on October 24, 2007. Although I voted in favor of the bill, the final tally of 52-44 fell shy of the 60 votes needed to cut off debate on the bill. Nevertheless, I believe it is in the nation's best interest to provide talented students who have embraced the American dream with a path toward becoming contributing, law-abiding members of our society.



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 lives 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. I have included a copy of my statement on this issue for your review.



Again, thank you for writing. Please know that your concerns are important to me, and I will keep them in mind as we continue to debate immigration reform proposals in the 110th Congress. I hope you will continue to write on matters of importance to you. Best regards.



Statement of Senator Dianne Feinstein

In Support of the DREAM ACT

October 24, 2007



I deeply regret that the Senate did not vote to consider the DREAM Act.


The DREAM Act holds great promise for youngsters who came to the United States as children. Many of these young people know no other country as their own. And I believe we should give them a chance to succeed.

These young adults were brought to this country as undocumented children many years ago, and they have stayed in school and out of trouble. They are dedicated to attending college or serving in our nation's military.


We must do all we can to encourage these hard working young people to get a good education to fulfill the American Dream. And the DREAM Act does just that.



It would permit students to become permanent residents if they came here as children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years. Let me tell you about one college student in California, Nayely Arreola, who would benefit from the DREAM Act.



Nayely came to the United States with her parents and a younger brother in 1986. Her father began working in the California's agriculture fields. The family made their home here, working hard to succeed. She has three other siblings age 15 and younger, who are all United States citizens.



Nayely is an excellent student. She was the first member of her family to graduate from high school, and today she attends Fresno Pacific University on full academic scholarship. Demonstrating her student leadership, Nayely has been elected President of her class.



However, she and her family were the victims of a negligent immigration attorney who has since been disbarred. But because of these shoddy legal services, her status remains in limbo.



Nayely has demonstrated a strong commitment to the ideals of citizenship in this country. She has worked hard to achieve her full potential both in her academic endeavors and through her dedication to community service.



I believe it is in our nation's interest to provide talented students like Nayely Arreola the incentive to take the path toward being a responsible and law-abiding member of our society.



I fear the alternative would not only dim the hopes of a gifted youth, it would diminish our potential as a compassionate society."




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.

I received the same letter (email) seven times today, all within ten minutes of one another.

I wish this idiot Feinstein would give it a rest. She still doesn't get it that the majority of the people do not approve of the Dream Act.

Got the same one. I wrote back and said "Through no fault of mine or my children, WE shouldn't have to pay for the illegals education." If you feel so adamantly about it I suggest you and the rest of Congress start paying for them out of your pocketbook,because we're sick of it!

We don't need this back-door 14th Amendment miscontruction.

Thanks anyway.

All the Dream Act would have done is make the foreign-born kids anchors, too. Do they not realize that we are fighting the issue of making the American-soil born kids citizens? They are not citizens, they are freebie anchors.

I recieved this same letter. I reminded her that her views didn't count cause she was elected to represent WE THE PEOPLE. And WE THE PEOLPE disagreed, so their is really no agreeing to disagree.

Why do they say "military" service, the bill says "uniformed" service which is different.

Then they removed some of the health and criminal checks normally done on entry. The college was 1 year certificate, or 2 years of a 4 year degree.

Thats just the start of it.

The lies they spout about these bills should be impeachable in themselves.

Typically, Feinstein is woefully out of touch with the vast majority of Americans on this issue. Durbin's Dream Act is a controversial, extremist proposal.

Let Feinstein pay for a few illegals herself if she wants a few to get freebies.