White House worked behind scenes to build DREAM Act support

Ianus · 08-02-2013, 10:53 PM

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/2...t-support.html

Quote:

WASHINGTON — Tina Tchen revealed that when she was the White House public engagements chief in 2010, the administration dared not invite so-called “DREAM Act” youths to the White House because it could flag their illegal status to immigration authorities.

Instead, White House officials met with them “off campus,” she said.

Tchen, now the chief of staff for first lady Michelle Obama, provided a rare inside look into a period of time when the White House wanted to reach out to the illegal youths — without placing them in jeopardy — during an appearance Wednesday at The Atlantic’s “Women of Washington” series.

The terms “DREAM Act” youths or “DREAMers” are references to young people in the U.S. illegally through no fault of their own. The term comes from immigration legislation conceived of and championed by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in 2001 to provide a path to legalization for undocumented students. Durbin has been leading the charge for “DREAMers” ever since.

During a wide-ranging discussion, Tchen talked about what was happening behind the scenes in 2010 to build support to pass the DREAM Act — and not make matters worse for the very students they were trying to help.

“You know, we used to have to meet with the ‘DREAM Act’ kids off campus. So we used to have to go somewhere else because they can’t come in the White House. They couldn’t come in the White House back then because they’d be flagged as a ‘do not admit,”’ she said.

“Not only would they be flagged as ‘do not admit,’ you know, ICE would get notified and they could potentially get picked up. So we had to sort of go off site to meet with them.”

“ICE” is a nickname for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a part of the Department of Homeland Security.

All White House visitors must be cleared by the Secret Service. Each individual submits in advance a full legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number, country of birth, country of citizenship and current city and state of residence. That personal information is checked against a variety of databases.

In 2010, a “DREAMer” could not be cleared to enter the White House, consistent with what was then the policy.

Things are different now.

Last May 21, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden met with several “DREAMers” and their family members in the Oval Office, as part of their renewed push for Congress to pass immigration reform.

What changed is the way DHS deals with many “DREAMers.”

On June 15, 2012, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that youths brought to the U.S. illegally who qualified could be granted “deferred action” status for two years, subject to renewal.

While still in a legal limbo, youths who receive “deferred action” — such as the ones who met with Obama and Biden last May — have the ability to live in the U.S. and not be at risk for arrest, detention, or in the very, very worse scenario, deportation. The new rules kicked in on Aug. 15, 2012.

A DHS official said Friday, “This process will help DHS continue to focus immigration enforcement and ensure that resources are not spent pursuing the removal of low priority cases involving productive young people.”

Tchen was a Chicago lawyer living on the North Side Lakewood-Balmoral neighborhood before moving to Washington to join the administration at the start of Obama’s first term.

She was discussing the run-up to what turned out to be a major disappointment on Dec. 18, 2010, when the Senate fell five votes short of passing a DREAM Act. The measure had already passed the House--then controlled by Democrats.

Today, the permanent status of DREAMers is still not resolved.

The GOP-run House left for a five-week summer recess on Friday without voting on any immigration bills.

The Senate passed a bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill on June 27, on a robust 68-32 roll call—including provisions covering “DREAMers.”

“DREAMers” were the subject of a vicious and ignorant attack by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) a few weeks ago.

“They aren’t all valedictorians, they weren’t all brought in by their parents,” King told Newsmax in an interview posted on July 18. “For every one who’s a valedictorian, there’s another hundred out there that they weigh 130 pounds and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they’re hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert.”

Durbin traveled to Ames, Iowa, on Friday — in King’s district — to appear with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and several “DREAMers” to send a message to King.

Said Durbin about King, “It’s time for him to understand these young people just want a chance to be part of America’s future.”

DA User · 08-02-2013, 11:44 PM

I think DA should be next piecemeal approach.

dexterchach · 08-03-2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

I think DA should be next piecemeal approach.

Happyman0607 · 08-03-2013, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

I think DA should be next piecemeal approach.

Agreed. As long as no one over 31 qualifies and have to deport immediately. Whatever it TAKES!

IamAman · 08-03-2013, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happyman0607

Agreed. As long as no one over 31 qualifies and have to deport immediately. Whatever it TAKES!

Or as long as it doesn't apply anybody who was EWI.

msaccountant · 08-03-2013, 02:24 PM

"Imagine all the dreamers living life in peace....."

Happyman0607 · 08-03-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman

Or as long as it doesn't apply anybody who was EWI.

Yea that works fine too

DA User · 08-03-2013, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman

Or as long as it doesn't apply anybody who was EWI.

I think everyone who originally qualified for the first Dream Act in 2001 should still qualify, that is fair.

Happyman0607 · 08-03-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DA User

I think everyone who originally qualified for the first Dream Act in 2001 should still qualify, that is fair.

No I don't like that

Pianoswithoutfaith · 08-03-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamAman

Or as long as it doesn't apply anybody who was EWI.

Perfect age cap of 31 and no EWI. Whatever it takes.

Seriously though if you qualified back in 2001, you should still qualify for a future Dream Act

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

May

White House worked behind scenes to build DREAM Act support