David Rivera introduces immigration bill with Daniela Pelaez

Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, is proposing an alternative plan to the DREAM Act, the legislation that allows kids who came to this country with their parents illegally to stay in the United States under certain conditions.

Rivera introduced his bill this week, and was joined Wednesday by Daniela Pelaez, the 18-year-old North Miami High School valedictorian who was threatened with deportation. Pelaez's lawyer, Nera Shefer, and her sister, Dayana, also attended the press conference for what's known as the Studying Towards Adjusted Residency Status -- or STARS Act.*

Rivera has already introduced legislation to allow young, undocumented immigrants who came to this country through no fault of their own to stay in the U.S. if they serve in the military; the STARS Act would allow kids who are going to college to stay in the country.

The bill's prospects are unclear. Rivera was recently cleared of a state inquiry but still faces FBI and IRS probes -- which makes him an awkward ally for other House members interested in immigration reform.

He also must get the blessing of Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. Smith has said previously he wouldn't hear the DREAM Act in his committee. Rivera said Smith hasn't said yes, but he also "has not told me 'no.'"

Here's Rivera's description of the proposal: "The bill will allow undocumented immigrants who are 19 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger and have been granted voluntary departure, arrived in the United States before the age of 16, and have maintained residence in the United States for at least the previous five consecutive years, the opportunity to adjust their residency status if they achieve a degree from an accredited four year institution of higher education and meet certain other criteria."

Like a similar as-yet-unfiled idea, from fellow Florida Republican, Sen. Marco Rubio, it does not put the students on a path to citizenship. They wouldn't be eligible to start that process until they have completed their college degree.

Pelaez, who is going to Dartmouth College in the fall, met with Smith herself to persuade him to consider the bill. She and her sister have started a foundation to help boost efforts to get legislation passed that benefits young people like themselves. And she's hopeful other kids will benefit from their efforts: "A couple months ago, I was going to get deported," she said. "And look where I am today."

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/naked...#storylink=cpy

Do you guys think that the section about being 21 years or younger if you've been granted voluntary departure is something that was added after even Daniela herself realizes that this bill is going nowhere fast, so the age 21 is put in place to hopefully buy time for herself?!
LOL

What does that voluntary departure mean?

http://www.peerallylaw.com/en/content/view/574

You can read through this about voluntary departure.

Why does Daniela Pelaez piss me off so much. Hija de tu puta madre! Thanks for trying to represent the 80 to 90% of DREAMERS who would get fucked over.

Don't be so mean towards someone who didn't do anything to you. She didn't write the STARS Act, Rivera did. I'm sure she would love for every Dreamer to be included, but if Rivera says no, it's a no.

I'm sure if a Senator or Representative offered a bill in which only you could benefit, you wouldn't necessarily turn it down. You wouldn't love it; but you would definitely take the offer given to you. Because in the end of the day, SOMEONE is getting relief. Better than no one getting relief.

Well said

Well I agree with you in one sense that people are selfish and although we wouldnt feel right that it left people out, if it benefited only us, we would be fine with it. However that is still bullshit. 19-21 and younger isnt even 1% of the people who have been fighting for DA since it began. we were 19-21, 4-5 years ago. Remember this has been more than 1o years now since the movement started, hence this bill wouldnt benefit anyone. It would benefit people who dont even know what the DA is and probably still have no idea they are illegal, i.e. people fresh from the boat. Not to say they dont deserve to be helped, but it would defeat the purpose of a bill being passed if the people who are fighting for it dont get any benefit from it. If they make it 30 and younger, then everyone would. Im 23, Ive been following the DA since i was 17 but even then I was one of the youngest of the crowd. So explain to me how making the age cap 19 NOW helps anyone of us?

I do agree that it's not fair. I am 21 myself, so this new STARS Act probably won't apply to me (I have to be clarified of the whole volutary departure thing).

All I know is that politics is a dirty business, and (most) politicians are dirty people who are much more selfish and greedy than parasitic bugs, which only bleed the host dry. In this case, all undocumented students are the host, and we are being bled dry. :\

Yeah but u can still hate Daniela Pelaez. Since the start shes been talking about young DREAMERS, people she qualifies with. I say older dreamers who already have bachelors degrees come out with their own bill now saying if you already have a degree not any degree a B.S. then we should be granted a T.P.S. of some sort. The difference between many of us and her is that we started fighting for everyone and over the years have narrowed our scope for any relief. Many of us at this point have aged out of almost all possible relief. Daniela Pelaez however started by bitching only about herself and her sister. Its good if someone gets something out of this but the way she has presented herself and her case its basically another wet foot dry foot rule (only a selected few are special).
SO FUCK HER!