WASHINGTON – Noting that the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM) Act is moving ever closer to congressional passage, national higher education leaders announced the formation of the Act on the DREAM Coalition, comprising more than two dozen higher education organizations that support the legislation. The Hispanic Association of Colleges Universities (HACU) took the lead in uniting 25 national higher education organizations in an effort to help bring the measure to final votes before Congress’ August recess.
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), a lead sponsor of the Senate bill, told coalition leaders that he needs more co-sponsors on the bill for it to gain traction with and attention from other legislators such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.)
Flores said their meetings with Republicans have been promising but they want stern assurances that no extraneous amendments will be brought to the bill concerning broader immigration reform.
“It’s not about amnesty and it’s not about comprehensive immigration reform,” Brown said. “This is about enabling students, who are otherwise deserving and qualified, an opportunity to obtain legal citizenship and a higher education to go to work legally and pay taxes.”
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