Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Howard L. Berman will reintroduce the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).  Since 2001, Congressman Berman has authored and introduced the DREAM Act in each subsequent Congress.  The legislation, which was approved by the US House of Representatives last year, provides qualifying young immigrants the opportunity to earn citizenship and pursue their dreams of positively contributing to America’s economy and security.

“In America we teach young people that if you work hard and stay in school you will succeed, and yet this turns out to be a cruel hoax for thousands of children who through no fault of their own are undocumented immigrants with no opportunity to adjust their immigration status,” said Congressman Howard L. Berman.  “Last year when the DREAM Act passed in the House of Representatives we got closer than ever to finally removing the obstacles in our broken immigration system that prevent bright, young students here in America from pursuing higher education, serving in the military, seeking legitimate employment, and achieving American citizenship.”

“It makes no sense for the US to bring in thousands of highly-skilled foreign guest workers to join our workforce and at the same time do nothing to provide an opportunity to kids who have grown up here in America, gone to school here, and who want to prepare themselves for these jobs or serve in our military.  This is why the DREAM Act enjoys a broad base of support from CEOs, military leaders, labor leaders, teachers, school principals, and community leaders,” added Congressman Berman. 

Currently, thousands of young people are penalized for the misdeeds of their parents and provided few choices following high school to step out from the shadows and legally contribute to the American economy.  To fix this problem, the DREAM Act allows these individuals to earn a conditional resident status if they:

    Were 15 years old or younger when brought into America by their parents
    Have lived in the United States for at least five years before enactment of the law
    Are of good moral character, and
    Earned a high school degree or a GED

These eligible young people would then have six years to have the conditional status removed and earn lawful permanent resident status if they:

    Successfully complete two years of higher education, or
    Complete two years of military service and if discharged, receive only an honorable discharge

Additionally, the DREAM Act would return states the right to decide who will have access to state higher education benefits.

President Obama has repeatedly expressed strong support for the DREAM Act, and yesterday during a speech in El Paso, Texas once again urged Congress to pass this much needed legislation. Additionally, Congressman Berman is joined in this effort by a bipartisan group of dedicated cosponsors including Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18) and Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34).  Additionally, previous versions of the DREAM Act have also been supported by the business community, the labor community, military leaders, teachers, principles, state and local government officials, and community leaders.”