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Forum Statement on First Ever Senate DREAM Act Hearing

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Tagged: Ali Noorani, Dream Act, immigration reform

Washington D.C. – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security will host the first ever Senate hearing on the DREAM Act, legislation that allows young people who came to the United States as minors a chance to earn legal status and a path to citizenship – if they meet a set of stringent criteria and attend college or enroll in the U.S. military. The following is a statement from Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum:

“The Forum applauds Senator Durbin, Senator Leahy and their colleagues for reintroducing the DREAM Act and conducting the first ever Senate hearing on the legislation.

The DREAM Act addresses the status of these young immigrant students who are ready to give back to America – their home – through hard work and service. This bipartisan bill offers a practical solution and we’re thrilled that the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing.

It defies common sense to put higher education and military service out of reach for hard working immigrant students. Doing so won’t force them to leave our country—the only country they call home. It would, however deprive America of the increased economic productivity and tax revenues provided by a better-educated workforce.

Congress should emulate the courage of these young people, set political gamesmanship aside and pass comprehensive immigration reform this year. Unless Congress acts swiftly to address immigration with pragmatic and long lasting solutions, some of our best and brightest immigrant students will have their potential cut short. The DREAM Act is a critical stepping stone to fixing our badly broken and dysfunctional immigration system, reduces our nation’s debt with $1.4 billion in new revenue, guards our nation’s investment in the education of its youth and ensures that America will reap the benefits of those investments. Today’s hearing should spur others to action.”

Contact: Katherine Vargas

cell (202) 641-5198