Students often ask, “ Why should I go to college if I can’t use the degree to get a better job? ” “ What do I do after graduation? ” These questions reflect the frustration, hopelessness, sadness, or anger that students often feel when they confront the limitations of their immigration status. Raised in the US, Americanized, they have no social security that is taken for granted by youth born in this country. Yet, many students still dream of a better future, of a college education.

Higher aspirations are not limited by immigration status for students who, despite the obstacles, find a way to prepare for and succeed in college. Any undocumented student can dream of a better future because with or without immigration reform an education is something that can never be taken from them. In and of itself, it enriches their lives and those around them. Importantly, immigration reform is now more than ever in the near future. It will someday soon make a better future possible for the undocumented students that dared to dream.

The DREAM Act and Immigration Reform
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The D.R.E.A.M. Act) is federal legislation introduced in the United States (US) Senate and House of Representatives on March 26, 2009. It would provide certain undocumented immigrant students that graduate from US high schools, are of good moral character, arrived in the US as children, and have been in the US continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. A qualified student must attend college, and earn a two year degree, or serve in the military for two years in order to earn citizenship after a six year period. If a student does not comply with the college requirement or military service requirement, temporary residency will be taken away and student will be subjected to deportation.

Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Harry Reid (D-NV), Mel Martinez (R-FL), Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Russell D. Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) introduced the DREAM Act. It may go forth as an individual bill or be language in a Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act in the near future.

The following important links inform the public about the federal DREAM Act history and current standing.

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National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
“Since 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of low income immigrants and their family members. In the past 20 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on immigration, public benefits, and employment laws affecting immigrants and refugees. Its extensive knowledge of the complex interplay between immigrants' legal status and their rights under U.S. laws is an essential resource for legal aid programs, community groups, and social service agencies across the country.” http://www.nilc.org/

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California Immigrant Policy Center
“The mission of the California Immigrant Policy Center is to protect and enhance the well-being of low-income immigrants in California by advocating for policies that address and respect the needs and contributions of immigrants and their families. The California Immigrant Policy Center provides research, training, and public education on immigrant issues affecting all Californians. The California Immigrant Policy Center, a non-profit organization, is a project of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the National Immigration Law Center, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, and Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) of San Jose.” http://www.caimmigrant.org/index.php

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