Dream Act

THE DREAM ACT IN CONGRESS

MAKING OUR DREAMS A REALITY

What is the DREAM Act?

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation which provides comprehensive benefits for immigrant youth who are attending college or serving in the U.S. military, giving thousands of young immigrants the chance to study and attain U.S. citizenship 

The bill permits undocumented students conditional legal status and eventual citizenship based on the following criteria:

  • Must have been brought to the U.S. before age 16;
  • Must have lived in the U.S. continuously for five years;
  • Must have graduated from a U.S. high school or obtained a GED;
  • Must have no criminal record; and
  • Must complete two years of college or military service.

What is the status of the DREAM Act in Congress?
The Dream Act was introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives on March 26th as  S.729 and H.R. 1751 by Senator Durbin (Illinois) and Representative Berman (California) with 7 Senate co-sponsors and 9 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives.  For the latest status of The DREAM Act please visit http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm. We need the support of 60 Senators and 218 House Representatives to pass the DREAM Act.

What can we do to support the DREAM Act?
The NCSHP encourages you to be part of a national effort to inform our representatives and senators that we want them to support and cosponsor the Dream Act.  To contact your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate, please call the switchboard operator:  202-224-3121.  They can connect you with your U.S. representatives’ offices.  

Do members of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate representing North Carolina support the DREAM Act?
Currently neither Senator Burr nor Senator Hagan support the DREAM Act.  
We need your help!  Please express your support of the DREAM Act by sending a message to members of Congress urging them to cosponsor the DREAM Act.  Please help to build support for thousands of young immigrants to have the chance to study and attain U.S. citizenship and be a part of an educated populace and workforce in North Carolina.

Where can I find out more?
For recent coverage of the DREAM Act, click on:
http://www.nilc.org/immlawpolicy/DREAM/index.htm