DREAM Act

Thank you to everyone who called on the DREAM Act last week. The bill passed the House with a vote of 216-198. The Senate vote on the bill is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 18. Keep the DREAM Act in your prayers, and be sure to call your senators and ask them to vote yes on the DREAM Act!

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (H.R. 1751/S. 729)  would provide a path for promising young people to earn legal immigrant status if they were brought to this country illegally as children.

The DREAM Act will likely come up for a vote in the Senate Saturday morning. Although there isn’t time before the next session of Congress to carefully negotiate a major comprehensive immigration reform bill, we can still make a difference in the lives of thousands of immigrant students.  We have a duty as Christians to speak up for just immigration reform, and let our representatives in Congress know that their constituents want to see the DREAM Act enacted by year's end!  

Who would the DREAM Act benefit?

Each year about 65,000 students, who would qualify for a status-adjustment under the DREAM Act, graduate from high school with zero prospects for the future.

Even though they were brought to the U.S. years ago as children, they face unique barriers to higher education, are unable to work legally in the U.S., and often live in constant fear of arrest and deportation by immigration authorities.

These students make Profession of Faith in our churches, participate in CRC youth groups, and may even be future pastors or community development workers. They are young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives and want to give back to the country and community they consider their own.

Our immigration law currently has no mechanism to consider the special circumstances of such students, but the DREAM Act would eliminate this flaw. Therefore, it is a vital part of real, comprehensive immigration reform.

What is the DREAM Act?

The DREAM Act would establish a path to legal status and eventual citizenship. The measure would grant conditional legal status to youth who successfully complete high school or equivalent. They then would have six years to graduate from college or a trade school or join the military. If successful in one of those areas, the conditional legal status would become permanent and they could then move towards U.S. citizenship.

The Immigration Policy Center has a helpful mythbuster that addresses some of the frequently asked questions relating to the DREAM Act.

What can you do?

Contact your Senators today, and ask them to support the DREAM Act! This is a great way to fulfill the call of Synod 2010 to advocate for "immigration reform and the enactment of fair, just, and equitable laws regarding those without status" (Acts of Synod 2010, p. 878).

Calling your representatives is easy!

• First check if your Senators and have co-sponsored the DREAM Act (just click on 'show cosponsors').  If they have, still call to thank them for their support!
• Call the Capitol Switchboard Operator at 202-224-3121 and ask to be transferred to your Senator's office. When you are transferred to the receptionist for each office, ask to speak to the person who handles immigration issues.

What do I say?

My name is _______________ and I am a constituent from ________ (city).  I urge you to cosponsor and help enact The DREAM Act (H.R. 1751/S. 729) during this session of Congress. It will enable undocumented high school graduates brought to the United States as children to realize their potential through higher education and service to the United States, thus benefiting all Americans. As a Christian, I believe that comprehensive immigration reform is a moral issue--a matter of justice--and vital to maintaining the health of our society. That's why I hope you'll take this first step and co-sponsor the DREAM Act.  Thank you"

Now spread the word! Many members of our churches are still learning about the importance of comprehensive immigration reform. Teaching others about the DREAM Act is a great way to get the conversation going!

Check out our immigration page or contact us (osjha@crcna.org) to find out what resources are available to get others on board with reforming our broken system.