This is a call to action on the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors known as the (DREAM) Act.  If it's approved, this legislation would allow eligible students who entered the U.S. before age 16 and who have been in the United States for at least five years to earn legal status if they pass background checks, attend college, or serve in the military for at least two years.

The Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) recently announced that he would advance DREAM Act by introducing it this week as an amendment to the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization bill and we need your help in order to make legalization a reality for hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth, our youth.  See the actions below and let us know who you've contacted and what their response has been. 

We thank you in advance for your calls and look forward to hearing from you!

ACTION #1:

In order to get to a vote on the DREAM Act we need to push these three Republican Senators to vote for “cloture” (the Motion to Proceed) on the defense authorization bill vote scheduled for Tuesday 9/21/10 at 2:15 ET. 60 votes are needed so please call!

Between now and 2pm TUE, please urge these Senators to VOTE YES on the Motion to Proceed:

REPUBLICANS

ACTION #2:

Urge the following senators to support the Dream Act Amendment vote scheduled for Thursday 9/23/10

The vote to add the DREAM Act as an amendment to Department of Defense Authorization bill could happen as early as Wednesday and 60 votes are needed. Call your Senators!

When you contact your Senator’s office or leave a message:

State your name and where you are calling from

Tell the Senator you want them to vote yes on the motion to proceed on the defense authorization bill

TALKING POINTS on the DREAM ACT

The DREAM Act provides a path to citizenship for children who were brought to this country by no choice of their own.

The DREAM Act would legalize approximately 800, 000 young immigrants who entered the United States as children, have been raised here, have excelled in school, and are committed to continued academic attainment or service in our armed forces.

Passing the DREAM Act would allow a group of talented, multi-lingual and multi-cultural workers to contribute to our tax base and return the investment that taxpayers have made in the public education of these children

• Many of these kids do not even realize they are “illegal” until years after they came to the U.S., before they can even remember. The U.S. is the only country they ever called home.

• Now they live in fear of deportation to a country where they may not have any family or have any connection to.

• These kids have the same hopes and dreams as any other kid in America. They want to make the most of their lives and give back to their country.

The DREAM Act IS NOT AMNESTY– eligibility requirements for legal status are strict and legal status must be earned.

• The DREAM Act does not provide automatic citizenship for these kids – legal status must be earned.

• Eligibility for legal status under the DREAM Act is strict. Kids must be physically present in the U.S. for at least 5 consecutive years prior to the date of enactment of the law. This will not be a magnet for more illegal immigration.

• Under the DREAM Act, only kids who were under 16 when they came to the U.S. are eligible for legal status. And those who are 35 at the time of enactment are no longer eligible.

• To earn legal status, young people must meet the DREAM Act’s high standards and work through a lengthy process that includes graduating from high school, being of good moral character, passing background tests and continuing their education at college or in the military.