Polis says all of these moves on the stat level underline the urgency of federal action. Others agree and have focused on passing the bipartisan Dream Act as a sort bridge or starter immigration legislation.
The Dream Act sets up provisions through which qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a six-year path to citizenship that would require applicants to complete a college degree or two years of military service. Supporters of the act saw hope in remarks on immigration reform made by Pres. Obama in July.
“We should stop punishing innocent young people for the actions of their parents… The Dream Act would do this, and that’s why I supported this bill as a state legislator and as a U.S. senator and why I continue to support it as president.”
But Polis, who has been an outspoken proponent of federal immigration reform and who in May landed a spot on the House Judiciary Committee, which would likely play a large part in drafting and pushing any coming immigration legislation, believes the Dream Act is no substitute for comprehensive immigration reform.
He told the Colorado Independent that the Dream Act would clearly help “a lot of kids who are de facto Americans,” but he added that the American people have signaled that the time for go-slow or incremental approaches to immigration policy reform has long passed.
“I strongly support the Dream Act, and if it can pass alone it’s certainly a good thing, but in no way, shape or form does it fix our broken immigration system.”
Polis said Congress can and should begin working on immigration policy this fall.
“The people of this country on the right, the left and in the middle are demanding congressional action. I think there’s more public will than ever to act now to replace our broken immigration system with one that works– one that enforces our laws and rules, maintains border security, makes sure that people’s [resident status] is verified before they can work and eliminates the ability of people to work here illegally.
“So again, if all Congress can do is pass the Dream Act that’s a good thing but it’s not what people are crying out for. ”
