On Wednesday, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) joined Rep. Howard L. Berman (CA-28) in reintroducing the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).The legislation, which was approved by the US House of Representatives last year but failed to pass the U.S. Senate, provides a pathway for eligible young immigrants raised in the United States to become lawful permanent residents and realize their potential as professionals and taxpayers. An original co-author of the DREAM Act since 2001, Roybal-Allard said: "To realize our potential as a nation, we must enable our youth, irrespective of legal status, to realize their potential as students and as lawful permanent residents. Unfortunately, our broken immigration system wastes our investments in gifted undocumented students and squanders their intellectual gifts. To address this failure, the Dream Act will make it possible for thousands of young people to attend college and contribute to their communities and our country. I call on my colleagues in Congress to join me in supporting this critical legislation so that children raised in America will no longer be denied the rights and responsibilities of legal permanent residents." The DREAM Act offers a prudent, equitable solution to the challenges that undocumented students face in attempting to gain admission to our colleges and universities. It provides a path to legalization to students who entered the U.S. at the age of 15 years or younger, have lived here for at least 5 years, and have completed two years of higher education or military service. President Obama has repeatedly expressed strong support for the DREAM Act. As recently as May 10 during a speech in El Paso, Texas, the President once again urged Congress to pass this much needed legislation. Contributed by the office of Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard.

********** Published: May 12, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 4