Congress Expected to focus on Education

http://diverseeducation.com/article/...n-in-2010.html

"The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act hasn't disappeared. It's just on the side burner for now, and advocates hope to change that in 2010."

"There are still lingering concerns about whether lawmakers can muster enough support for comprehensive immigration reform."We hope Congress passes comprehensive immigration reform," says Flores, who notes, however, that the DREAM Act "would have a stronger chance" of enactment as a standalone measure. "The DREAM Act remains a major issue for us. It helps Latinos who are in limbo at this point."

Edit:

While CIR is getting some headlines lately, most political experts don't think that a bill is going anyway this year. I think events in February will give signs to whether or not CIR is possible. The DA may get amended to some bill if advocates raise the issue enough.

We'll just have to wait and see what happens next month. In my honest opinion, I don't see how CIR is a possibility this year. The timing just isn't at all right but hey, who knows. Maybe it'll end up happening.

The CIR will never have a right "timing" it's just the way this country is. CIR is going to be a huge battle, whether the debate begins today or 5 years from now.

The CIR is almost 99.99% impossible with the craziness that just happened with the health reform.


The DREAM Act on the other hand, imo, should be put together with a Education bill. The Republicans would wrestle it, but it'll be a lot more subtle than anything else. But hey, I ain't the one calling the shots soooo.

PS. I have high hopes for the DREAM Act, because there is a version of it sitting in the Senate as we speak. So if the CIR fails, all is NOT lost, because we have the DREAM to look forward to..... Or maybe that's what they want us to do... hmmm... Maybe they just want to keep us waiting for something.... hmmm... idk... I don't care... I'm gonna keep on dreaming anyways, what else can we do?

i wonder under what "climate" the 1986 immigration reform bill passed. i mean back then hispanics were a smaller minority than we are now. most were unskilled laborers without any idea how to advocate for their legalization (other than Cesar Chavez and others)

but i sure hope that CIR passes...but most legislators say that DA can survive as a stand alone bill. so we have those two options.

My fear, since Congress insists on tying DREAM to CIR, is that CIR will tank and Congress will find itself with not enough time or will to even consider the DREAM Act. Or, that DREAM will be considered some time in October, when doing the right thing is subordinated to winning votes.

I still think that DA has a way better chance of passing as a stand alone bill or as part of another bill but not with CIR since CIR prob wont happen. Im just tired of waiting and hoping for something that seems so unreachable and not likely to occur its like all the politicians are playing with us.. sigh..

I agree with you. That's my biggest fear because it will take us back to square one. And will mean more waiting.

If they really are going to focus in education reform next, then we should do what we can to get DA included in education reform. We've had so many educational institutions and organizations back the bill in the last few months, it's worth trying to get Congress to make it apart of any education package.

I agree that DA alone is more politically palatable, but I think that the more pressure we can apply for CIR, the better our position to demand some elements of reform (DA!) if reform overall cannot be made real this year. Fighting for CIR is, to me, a way to fight for the DREAM. Without the push for CIR, i don't think Congress will be willing to handle DREAM on its own. But if we push for CIR with DREAM hard enough and unfortunately can't accomplish it, we will be in a place to demand DREAM be considered on its own or amended to another must pass bill.

Back then they promised to seal the borders and they promised that this would be the last amnesty ever in the history of USA. This time people won't buy the same promise.