5 Years of residence before the bill is enacted is too long

While I believe the writers of this act have their heart in the right place, requiring five years of residency in the U.S. before the act was passed is much too long. I am an ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) teacher in rural Georgia. All of my students are Hispanic, and many of my students may be undocumented.

But what about my students who entered 1, 2, 3, or 4 years before the act is passed? Are they just out of luck? I have students such as José, who has been in the U.S. for just three years. He attended only three years of school in Guatemala before entering U.S. schools in sixth grade. He is now in 8th grade. His English is remarkable. He makes A honor roll, won a presidential fitness award, and is active in his church. He dreams of becoming a lawyer and helping other Hispanic people. What will happen to him?

If the Dream Act is passed in 2007, what good will it do any young people who entered the country without documentation after 2002?

Maybe I'm missing some information on this issue, but I believe the five year residency requirement needs to be changed.

Hi ccable! Good to have you here!


First of all, in response to the five year requirement: It's actually six years to receive a green card (that is, the Department of Homeland Security lifts the conditional status off of an individual benefiting from the DREAM Act). However, throughout these six years, DREAM beneficiaries are granted a stay of deportation (if they are not yet accepted/matriculated into a two or four year university or enlisted in the military) or (if the beneficiary has been accepted/matriculated/or even graduated from a two/four year university or the military) a conditional residency status. Basically, conditional residency status entitles you to most of the benefits allowed to permanent residents except for a shorter time allotment for travel outside of the United States, social services such as welfare, etc. and other things (to my knowledge). We will be receiving the actual green card upon completion of the requirements in six years.


In response to your inquiry about what happens to other would-be DREAMies that have not/will not meet the requirements because of how long they have been present in the United States: I am taking the liberty of speaking for all of us here at the DREAM Act Portal when I say many of us do sympathize with students that cannot be included into the DREAM Act but we also see the need for "cut-off dates" for legislation to pass Congress and become a reality. Many of us (such as myself) have been here since we were babies, have grown up "American", and only recently learned the full extent of what it is to be "illegal". However, DREAM is not the only proposed solution for other undocumented immigrants out there in Congress right now. The DAP also supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform, that is, legislation that can help others in the same immigration problems that we encountered that may include our parents, siblings that may not meet DREAM requirements for whatever reason, agricultural workers, etc.


In comprehensive immigration reform, your student Jose and others like him may find the solution to their immigration problems. I wish there was some better news I could give you referring to him but, as of right now, he would not benefit from the DREAM Act and it is very unlikely changes will be made to this otherwise very workable and bipartisan piece of legislation.


Thanks for supporting us ccable! =)