GOP shows no interest in DREAM Act

GOP shows no interest in DREAM Act
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By Alan Gomez, USA TODAY
Updated 2h 57m ago
Democrats hoped that the first ever Senate hearing focused on a bill that would legalize some children of illegal immigrants would help sway Republicans to embrace the legislation. Judging from Tuesday's testimony, Democrats still have a long way to go.

The DREAM Act, or the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, provides legal residency and the eventual chance for illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to become citizens. These immigrants, under the proposed law, could become citizens if they maintain a clean criminal record, graduate from high school and plan on attending college or joining the military.

The bill passed the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives in December, but fell short of the 60 votes necessary to clear the Senate. Now with a GOP-controlled House, the bill faces a tougher road, and Republicans didn't seem to budge on Tuesday.

GOP Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Chuck Grassley of Iowa questioned officials with the Obama administration over several aspects of the bill.

Cornyn questioned the depth of the criminal background check required for prospective DREAM Act beneficiaries, and worried that passing it would encourage more people to illegally enter the U.S., since they would assume that Congress would save them down the road.

"If we pass this bill, will we be back here in 5 years, 10 years?" Cornyn said. "Is this the kind of dream that will reoccur indefinitely?"

Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat who has been pushing the DREAM Act for years, and members of the Obama administration defended the bill, saying it had more stringent criminal background checks than those performed on foreigners applying to gain legal status in the U.S., and said it was clearly limited to illegal immigrants who have already been in the country at least five years.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said legalizing those law-abiding students would save her department time and money, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said they would generate $1.4 billion in revenue over the next decade for the country if allowed to complete their education, and Undersecretary of Defense Clifford Stanley said they would help fill the ranks of a military that will soon struggle to do so.

Despite the apparent lack of progress Tuesday, Durbin said he will continue his quest to pass the DREAM Act. "It is, I think, one of the most compelling human rights issues of our time," he said.

A$$holes...

Where does it say they show no interest? The republican senators were raising valid points and concerns. They have to be interested in doing so.

It had to be some guy named Gomez writing this nonsense... What is it with Hispanic media and negativity...

Obsolete101891 and LifeDreamer, I agree with the both of you. The title of the article is completely deceitful. The Republicans did raise valid points and concerns that need to be addressed specifically in the text of the bill. Other speakers also encouraged Durbin to add certain sections/make certain changes in the way the current DREAM Act is written. These were really good suggestions that would lead to support from Republicans, such as Cornyn. I think Republicans are willing to compromise, but Democrats must be willing to modify sections that Republicans consider to be vague and/or weak. OVERALL, THIS ARTICLE DISTORTS WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN THE MEETING. TO SUMMARIZE, SEVERAL REPUBLICANS AND DR. CAMAROTA MADE DURBIN AWARE THAT THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE DREAM ACT IS POORLY WRITTEN AND SPECIFICALLY DWELLED ON AND ENUMERATED THOSE WEAKNESSES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PEOPLE WHO CRITICIZED THE BILL ALSO OFFERED IDEAS ON HOW TO MAKE THE DREAM ACT A BETTER PIECE OF LEGISLATION. IF ANY OF YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO A RECORDING OF THE HEARING, YOU NEED TO WATCH IT ASAP. I FELT SOME FLEXIBILITY AND A WILLINGNESS TO COMPROMISE. DURBIN REALLY NEEDS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE BILL IN TERMS OF, FOR EXAMPLE, COMBINING WITH AN ENFORCEMENT MEASURE (SUCH AS E-VERIFY), DESCRIBING THE PROCESSES FOR PROVING GOOD MORAL CHARACTER (WHICH MISDEMEANORS WILL BE ALLOWED WHICH ONES WON'T BE), AND DISCOURAGING FRAUD (E.G. ENCARCERATION AND/OR DEPORTATION). GUYS PLEASE CHECK THE "TAKING ACTION SECTION" OF THE FORUM AND READ THE THREAD POSTED BY TACVBO

He's saying this because of the 8 republicans on the committe, only 2 bothered to show up. How are we supposed to convince them to vote for it if they're not showing any interest?

where's the source for this article?

Guys, did you pay attention to the weaknesses of the bill that speakers enumerated? If no, try to get access to a recording of the hearing. Durbin needs to make changes to the bill. Valid points were raised from opponents in terms of how the legislation is written. I am sure LifeDreamer and others will agree.

Get a recording of the hearing to see what I am talking about. This b***h a** article does not mention it. I doubt any article about the hearing will mention it. YOU NEED TO WATCH A RECORDING OF THE EVENT.

Huh? There are 6 Democrats and 5 Republicans on the subcommittee.