Hopes for DREAM Act Survive Despite Failed Senate Vote

WASHINGTON—In the wake of a failed Senate vote on the DREAM Act over the weekend, the young people who saw their hopes shattered momentarily are expressing determination to continue struggling for legal status in the United States. Many Democratic senators also expressed that they would continue fighting on the young people’s behalf.

if they complete high school, stay out of trouble with the law, and complete two years of college or military service.{etRelated 43109,47439}Forms of the DREAM legislation have been in the pipeline for nine years; attempts have been made to pass it before and failed, but many felt this was the best opportunity yet.

Taking advantage of the final days of the 111th Congress where they still hold a strong Democratic majority, Majority Leader Harry Reid called a Senate cloture vote, which came up five votes shy. The House set the stage for the vote last week, passing the legislation with a strong majority.

Senators cast their votes Saturday morning before the watchful gazes of a gallery filled with undocumented youth, who had traveled to Washington, to witness the historic moment.

When the final tally was announced (55-41) some students burst into tears, but the group quickly rallied their disappointment into determination to continue the fight.

Lorella Praeli, speaking with fellow supporters after the vote in a video posted by United We Dream, said their stories had changed now, and that they still had lots of work to do.

"They don’t have control over me anymore, because I am not waiting anymore. I am speaking out now, and encouraging others to feel empowered to speak out," she said.

United We Dream is a national network of organizations formed last year to rally support for the DREAM Act. They say approximately 15,000-20,000 young people have “come out” publicly to show their undocumented status and make their voices heard.

The immigration reform movement has been bolstered by an absence of deportations over the last year of young people who would qualify for legal protection under the act. This is likely part of the reason a boom of undocumented students have overcome their fears and gone public, said Lindsay McCluskey, president of the United States Student Association (USSA).

In the last month alone, the National Immigration Law Center has documented 850,000 calls, e-mails, and faxes to members of Congress, 81,000 petition signatures, a joint letter signed by 109 national organizations, 40 press conferences, and a radio ad campaign in five states supporting the legislation.{mospagebreak}

The Lives of Dreamers

Undocumented students graduating from high school currently face a life in the shadows. They cannot work legally or obtain a drivers license; outside of just 11 states with legislation allowing undocumented students to obtain in-state tuition, they are faced with prohibitive fees in accessing higher education. Once graduated, obtaining a good job is extremely difficult. Thus, many of them live lives in limbo.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), a sponsor and strong supporter of the legislation, profiled the stories of 12 dreamers on his website.

“These are the most energetic, idealistic young people you could meet in your life,” he said during a press conference at Congress with other senators after the vote, posted on C-span.

Eight senators joined the press conference to respond to the students, including Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). Collectively, they expressed disappointment in the vote, and echoed each other in saying that passing the legislation is the right thing to do.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), the No. 2 senator supporting DREAM Act legislation, said, “What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun, or does it explode? This dream is going to explode, and it will someday become a reality.”

“There is no excuse for some of our most patriotic and talented Americans, how they were treated this morning. I call them Americans because this is all they know,” said Harry Reid quickly before going back to reside over the Senate floor.

Five Democratic senators voted against the legislation and three Republicans voted for it, including outgoing Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) who voted for it.

Next Year

Speaking with Utah reporters during a conference call last Friday, Bennett revealed some Republicans have privately discussed writing and passing their own version of the DREAM Act, likely early next year, The Hill reported.

USSA's McCluskey said she was aware of the Republican’s plan. “I do have some fear about, if the legislation were to be rewritten what kind of things it could include,” she said.

“I think the Republican approach to immigration reform is very different from what is currently included in the DREAM Act,” she added.

Republicans face strong opposition from much of their conservative base, many call the legislation an amnesty; a fear Americans would be competing with more people for jobs and post secondary education spots. Conditional status, granted immediately under the DREAM Act would result in green cards, allowing the youth to work and pay taxes.

McCluskey said the students would definitely not stop struggling for what they see as a just solution, and a chance to live in peace.

Regardless of the results of the vote, students were encouraged by the fact that the vote actually took place, and that they have more people on their side, she added.

As for what’s next, “exactly what form that will take is not entirely clear. There is still a lot of strategizing that needs to be done,” said McCluskey.

SOURCE
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