Updates AFTER failed to pass 12/2010:
- "Obama to make grassroots push for DREAM in 2011" (HuffPost, 12/24/10)
Update 12/17: ANOTHER Senate vote on DREAM Act will be tomorrow. Please call BROWN. He has said he is a "NO" vote. He needs to hear from us.
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DREAM act gives a very narrowly defined group of illegal immigrants ---people who were brought here (illegally) by their parents and have spent their whole lives here -- a path to citizenship, through education and military service. As it stands, there is no channel for these betwixt/between people to become citizens.
Information sheets about DREAM act (FAQ/common misconceptions) - CLICK HERE
Politifact fact-checks the attacks on DREAM.
It is widely supported by American voters (66%)
BONUS: it cuts the deficit! (click here)
Even the conservative/libertarian Cato Institute sees benefits of DREAM Act! (I must add--against tide of Tea Party sentiment!)
Texas Clergy support DREAM Act. Texas!!
Scott Brown is on the fence about the DREAM Act (using language of support but setting himself up as being "dissatisfied" w/ the process or soemthing). [Update: Here's Brown saying it's Backdoor Amnesty, to Boston Globe]
CALLS ARE IMPORTANT--please ring him (and Rep. Stephen Lynch--who is also listed as UNDECIDED) TODAY.
SENATOR SCOTT BROWN:
Phones: Boston -- (617) 565-3170
Washington, DC -- (202) 224-4543
FAX: (202) 228-2646 (you can use services like FaxZero.com to send free faxes from the internet!)
UPDATE:Rep. Lynch voted YES on Dream Act
CONGRESSMAN STEPHEN LYNCH 202-225-8273
Received form letter from Brown re: Dream:
ReplyDelete12'21'2010
Thank you for your letter regarding the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act of 2009 (S. 3992). I value your input, and appreciate hearing from you.
The DREAM Act, which was originally introduced on March 26, 2009, by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), would authorize the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to cancel the removal of, and give conditional permanent resident status to an alien who entered the U.S. prior to his or her 16th birthday and has lived in the U.S. for a period of 5 years. Such a resident must also meet other requirements, such as be judged to be of good moral character, not inadmissible or deportable under the Immigration and Nationality Act, be admitted to a higher education institution or serve in the military for a minimum of 2 years, completed high school or the equivalent, never been under a final order of deportation, and be under 35 years of age at the time of this Act’s enactment. Furthermore, the DREAM Act sets parameters for conditional permanent resident status, and the process by which one transitions from conditional to permanent residency status. Under S. 3992, an undocumented alien would also be authorized to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent residency if that individual has satisfied all of the above requirements prior to the enactment of the Act.
More recently, on December 9, 2010, the Senate held a procedural vote to set aside the Senate version of the DREAM Act so that the House-passed version of the bill could be considered at a later date. On December 18, 2010, the Senate took up this House version of the DREAM Act, and the Senate voted 55 to 41, failing the 60 vote requirement to move forward with debate. While I remain committed to reforming our legal immigration system and streamlining the legal process for those who are seeking citizenship through the legal and proper channels, I believe this legislation is a form of amnesty and can not support it. I continue to oppose proposals that give incentives for illegal immigration or extend taxpayer benefits to those here illegally.
Again, thank you for sharing your views with me. As the legislative process moves forward, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind. If I can be of further assistance, do not hesitate to contact me or visit my website at www.scottbrown.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Scott P. Brown
United States Senator