Senate expects vote on DREAM Act next week

Senator Harry Reid announced Tuesday that the DREAM Act will be added to the Defense Authorization Bill and be voted on next week. The act would mean new opportunities for thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the country as children. Supporters view the long-stalled vote as just a step toward the ultimate goal of comprehensive immigration reform. Michael Lawson reports.

CUT: (Chanting) "Si se puede! Si se puede! Si se puede!..."

A Capitol Hill church was the setting for a national day of action forum for immigration reform. Leaders from different faiths, labor and immigrant rights organizations as well as elected officials gathered to lay out a legislative framework for immigration reform.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Senator Reid acknowledged a lack of Republican support has hindered comprehensive immigration reform but said the long overdue DREAM Act is necessary.

SENATOR HARRY REID: "I know we can't do comprehensive immigration reform. I've tried to. I've tried so very, very hard. I've tried different iterations of this. But those Republicans we had in the last Congress have left us. The DREAM Act is really important. What does it do? Boys and girls who come to our country before age 16 and have been here for five years should be able to go to a state school."

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act has been introduced in various forms since 2001 with variable bipartisan support. The current bill would allow undocumented immigrants who entered the country before age 16 and have resided here at least 5 years a path to permanent residency. Participants must have a high school diploma or GED and must complete at least two years of higher education or two years of military service. Failure to complete the requirements within six years or being convicted of certain crimes would remove conditional status.

Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey has been a vocal supporter of immigration reform and supports the DREAM Act. At the forum, Menendez announced his intention to introduce a broader bill in the Senate.

SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ: "I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is in the national security interest. I’d rather know who is here to pursue the American dream versus who is here to do it any harm and we will never know that unless we pull people out of the darkness into the light."

In a statement released Wednesday, Republican Senator John Cornyn said the DREAM Act should be a part of comprehensive immigration reform and dismissed its inclusion in the Defense Authorization Bill as transparently political.

Although the DREAM Act brought applause at Wednesday's forum, much of the focus was placed on the families torn apart by current immigration policies. Maria Salinas traveled to the forum by bus from Michigan representing the grassroots Gamaliel Foundation. Salinas has worked on immigration reform for 10 years and supports the DREAM Act’s chance for passage. However, she says its supporters must not lose sight of what matters.

MARIA SALINAS: "I think that is a fraction of a victory but I think we need to look at a broad picture that there’s families that come along with that DREAM Act—families that need to be able to be reunited—and also a fair path to citizenship for that people that are here also."

Attendees also met with Senators. Representative Luis Gutierrez announced plans to meet with Senator Menendez and President Obama on Thursday to discuss the need for comprehensive reform efforts.

Michael Lawson, FSRN, Washington