The Dream Act
of 2009
Where Dreams Come True!
Bringing Hope & Promise To Our Children -
The Future of America
Welcome to the Dream Act of 2009.org! Providing the most up-to-date information and resources on the new Congressional Bill to bring legalization to millions of immigrant children across America. This long-awaited immigration initiative has broad bi-partisan support and promises to finally bring our immigrant children "out of the shadows" to pursue thier hope and dreams, attend college, undertake military service and live the American Dream!
Remember that your support for this Bill is very important, so please click on this link to Contact your Congressional Representatives and express your support for the DREAM ACT of 2009!
Overview of the new DREAM Act of 2009
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The "DREAM Act") is a long anticipated Immigration Bill which was just introduced in the US Congress (both Senate and House) on March 26, 2009. This bill will provide millions of immigrant children who graduate from U.S. High Schools the opportunity to receive U.S. Residency (a "Green Card") after so many years of being left in the shadows by State and Federal laws. The new legislation will provide immigration benefits to those who arrived in the United States as children, before the age of 16 and who have been residing in the U.S. continuously for at least five years prior to the Bill being enacted into Law. Once made into law, immigrants meeting the criteria will essentially have the opportunity to "earn" Permanent Residency. This means that students will be issued temporary Residency for a period of six years, which is conditioned upon meeting certain educational or military requirements. Within the six year temporary Residency period, a qualified student must attend college, and earn at least a two year degree (AA), or serve in the U.S. Military for two years in order to maintain immigration benefits. Once the immigrant has met all of the conditions at the end of the 6-year conditional period, they will be granted Permanent Residency, which will lead to U.S. citizenship. However, if the student does not comply with either the college requirement or military service requirement, the temporary Residency will be taken away and student will be subjected to deportation.General Requirements:
Under the new DREAM Act, immigrants may qualify in part, by meeting the following requirements which have not been finalized by Congress:
- Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time the Law is enacted
- Must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16
- Must have resided continuously in the United States for a least five (5) consecutive years since
the date of their arrival
- Must have graduated from a U.S. High School, or obtained a General Education Diploma
(GED)
- Must have "Good moral character"
Other Benefits:
In addition to the temporary Residency, immigrant students who qualfiy would also be entitled to apply for student loans and work study, but would not be eligible for Pell educational grants.Termination of Benefits:
In certain circumstances, the immigrant may lose temporary immigration Residency. This may occur if the immigrant does not meet the educational or military service requirement within the six year time period or if they commit any crimes (other than those considered non-drug related misdemeanors) regardless of whether or not they have already been approved for permanent status at the end of their six years. If an immigrant is convicted of a major crime, or drug-related infraction, he or she would automatically lose the six year temporary residence status and be immediately subject to deportation.Current Immigration Laws Regarding Immigrant Children:
Under current immigtation regulations, children who immigrate to the United States from another country can only obtain permanent status through their parents and may not independently apply for Residency. Such children are allowed to attend and complete public education, but upon graduation, are not allowed to attend college in many States. Further, without proof of legal immigration status, such children are generally not issued Driver's Licenses, Social Security cards and cannot legally work. Background of the Dream Act:
Several different versions of the current Dream Act were introduced into Congress in 2001, 2005 and 2007, but never made it to passage. Much of the Dream Act text was also made part of several other failed immigration-related bills, including the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 and the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007 . The failure of these past immigration reform efforts was largely blamed on Republicans, who generally oppose immigration reform. However, in recent years, Senator McCain and other prominent Senate and House Republicans have signaled a shift by supporting such initiatives. The current Dream Act was re-introduced by both chambers of Congress on March 26 2009 in a bi-partisan effort to mend the injustice inflicted on millions of immigrant children, innocently brought to the United States by thier parents and in no way responsible for their current illegal immigration status. The current Dream Act Bill were introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN),Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and in the House, Representatives Lucile Roybal-Allard (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Anh “Joseph” Cao (R-LA), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Jared Polis (D-CO), John Conyers (D-MI) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). There is a possibility that the Dream Act may be linked with the proposed AgJOBS (Agricultural job Opportunities, Benefits and Security Act) and border enforcement legislation.Introduction Statement by Senator Leahy of the "DREAM ACT of 2009" Bill:
"This legislation has the potential to change the lives of many young people in an extraordinary and positive way and is an investment in America's future. The Senate has attempted several times to pass the DREAM Act, but the bitter politics of immigration have stalled our best efforts in the past. I appreciate Senator Durbin's persistence, and I share his commitment to the young people whose lives this bill would profoundly improve. Those who came to the U.S. as minors under the care of their parents are not guilty of their parents' transgressions. For many, the U.S. is the only home they know. We will further the Federal policy that supports educational opportunity and military service if we exercise the forbearance to defer rigid application of our laws upon those who have the potential to be citizens that will move our country forward. We all recognize the value of higher education and service to our country. To serve these Federal policy interests by giving legal stability and opportunity to young people caught in the limbo of our laws through no fault of their own is the right thing to do. As Congress and the administration work through the immediate challenges that lie ahead, and begin to restore the faith of Americans in our economy and our government, I hope Congress will not shy away from other important issues such as immigration reform. When our Federal Government confronts the issue of immigration, I hope we will see not only the opportunity to correct what is wrong, but also to improve and build upon what is good and just about the traditions of welcoming and refuge that define our immigration system. The promise this bill holds for so many young people will reinforce the spirit that underlies the history of American immigration and the diversity that has moved us so far. I thank Senator Durbin and hope all Senators will join us in support of this legislation. "Be sure to follow the Links on the toolbar for Recent News, Immigration Newsletter and valuable Resouces.
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