Sen. Boxer Supports Reintroduced Dream Act
05/11/2011
KPSP Local 2 News
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer joined other Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act Wednesday.
The DREAM Act would give illegal immigrant students the chance to earn U.S. citizenship if they meet certain requirements including completing two years of college or military service.
"It is long past time to provide a path to success for these bright and hard-working young people, who grew up here and call America home," Senator Boxer said in a news release.
Supporters of the proposal, including Sen. Boxer, say the DREAM Act would stimulate the nation's economy with participants contributing trillions of dollars over their lifetimes.
Opponents of the bill say it would encourage more non-citizens to brings their children into the country illegally.
The DREAM Act failed in a close vote in the Senate last December during the lame duck session of Congress, and faces stiff opposition in the GOP led House of Representatives this time.
The bill is also being introduced Wednesday in the House by Rep. Howard Berman (D-Calif.), who has been introducing the measure every year since 2001.