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> Action Alert: Call and/or write Congress and Tell Them to Support the DREAM Act
Background: On March 26, 2009, Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) (S.729). A nearly identical bill (H.R. 1751) was introduced in the House by Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA). The DREAM Act permits certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to adjust to temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent resident status provided that they attend college or enter the U.S. military. This bill would apply to students in public and private schools, including Catholic schools. The premise of DREAM is that immigrant youth should not be hindered from working towards a more promising future solely because they were brought to the United States by their parents at a young age without legal status. DREAM seeks to provide these students a fair chance to earn citizenship and to contribute to the country they call home.
Action: Your action is needed to help pass the DREAM Act. Efforts have been made to pass this important legislation since 2001, and DREAM failed in 2007 by only a few votes in the Senate. DREAM does enjoy support from members of both parties and is backed by President Obama. However, significant grassroots momentum is needed in the coming months to overcome opposition and ensure that DREAM becomes law. Please CALL and/or WRITE your representative or senator today and ask them to co-sponsor the DREAM Act (S.729 / H.R.1751). Click here for a sample letter. Talking points follow.
Capitol Hill Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
TTY: (202) 225-1904
TALKING POINTS:
- I am calling to ask Senator/Representative to co-sponsor or support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM, S. 729, H.R. 1751). The DREAM Act would permit immigrant youth who have graduated high school, are at least fifteen years of age, and have lived in the United States five years, to apply for permanent residence, provided they complete two years of college or served two years in the military. It also would permit states to offer these young persons in-state tuition without restriction.
- These young persons came to the United States as children with their parents, so did not enter the United States illegally on their own accord. They know no other homeland than the United States, and want the opportunity to offer their skills and leadership to our nation. We would be foolhardy not to give them that opportunity.
- I urge you to cosponsor this legislation, which could help 65,000 students per year come out of the shadows and pursue their futures.