DREAM Act Numero 5

By: Scott Wong (POLITICO)
Dec. 1, 2010

Senate Democrats have introduced their fifth version of the DREAM Act this year in a bid to tackle concerns from critics and win support from a handful of moderate lawmakers from both parties.

But the immigration legislation continues to draw fire from opponents and face stiff odds in the lame-duck session – and this was even before Republicans vowed Wednesday to filibuster all bills until the Senate votes to extend Bush-era tax cuts and fund the federal government.

The DREAM Act would provide a path to legalization for immigrants who were brought to the country illegally as children, if they go to college or serve in the military for at least two years.

The latest version, filed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) late Tuesday night, would bar illegal immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition; drops the age of eligibility to 29 from 34; would not grant permanent legal status to anyone for at least 10 years; would restrict eligibility for those who commit certain misdemeanor crimes; and would limit individuals from being able to sponsor family members for U.S. citizenship, among other changes.

Those who receive conditional legal status under the DREAM Act also would be ineligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other government-funded benefits.

The new bill “simply is an effort to deal with any potential costs estimates [to] make it revenue-neutral,” said Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the only Hispanic member of the Senate and an ardent DREAM Act advocate. “There wouldn’t be any reason for anyone to vote against it because it wouldn’t cost anything.”

Reid said he planned to file a cloture motion Tuesday night so the Senate could proceed to the DREAM Act, but that was before he and Durbin rolled out a new version. Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the earliest his boss could file cloture would be Thursday, possibly setting up a test vote next week.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/45844.html

They dropped age eligibility again?!

from 35 to 30 for the latest bill. They say 29 because you have to be under 30.

would bar illegal immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition....
What is this mean? that we are no longer eligible for in-state tuition even if we are in states like NY that granting in-state tuition to undocumented students?

Some of the comments on that page are just shameful. They still think it is amnesty. I'm starting to get the sense that they don't know what amnesty means.

That really sucks about the no in-state tuition. I guess we can take private loans and get scholarships to get though college, and pay 5x times more than what we are suppose to =(

But as long as we can drive, work and enjoy America it should be fine.

You won't be an illegal immigrant if you qualify for the DREAM Act, thus qualifying for in-state-tuition.

Really? Hope... I really hope that's the case

Most Americans couldn't pass the citizenship test smh

so what would happen to the States who currently offer IN State Tuition To Undocumented, Students like us. Would we have to pay out of state or as International Students