The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act is a legislation that was introduced in 2001 to help individuals who meet certain requirements have the opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship. These individuals would not have these opportunities without this legislation. It would give the opportunity for undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S since they were young an opportunity to give back to the country and a chance to utilize their education and talents (Group DREAM Act, 2011).
Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school but cannot go to college, join the military, work, or pursue their dreams. They belong to the 1.5 generation immigrants brought to the United States at a young age who were largely raised in this country and therefore share much in common with second-generation Americans. These students are culturally American because they grow up here and often very little attachment to their country of birth. They tend to be fluent in English. Many don’t even know that they are undocumented immigrants until they apply for a driver’s license or college. At this point, they learn they lack Social Security numbers and other necessary legal documents (American Immigration Council, 2011).
Important dates in the DREAM act:
2001- The DREAM Act is introduced for the first time to the 107th congress as H.R. 1918 and S.1291 in the House of Representatives and Senate respectively
2002-2006- The republican party had control of congress, an due to their big opposition to the legislation, the bill was turned down every time it was introduced.
2010-The latest version of the bill was introduced On December, 2010, when the DREAM Act was brought up and passed in the House by a vote of 216-198 (H.R. 5281). However, when it reached the Senate on December 18, 2010, it fell five votes short of cloture, receiving 55 yeas and 41 nays.
There have been at least 21 subsequent bills attempting to pass a form of relief for DREAMers since its initial introduction in 2001 (LawLogix, 2013). See more at: DREAM Act legislation
Who would qualify?
Must have entered the United States before the age of 16
Must have been present in the United States for at least five consecutive years prior to enactment of the bill
Must have graduated from a United States high school, or have obtained a GED, or have been accepted into an institution of higher education (college/university)
Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of application
Must have good moral character (Group DREAM Act, 2011).
How does this law effect teachers, students and education?
* We want the best and brightest students to attend our colleges and contribute meaningfully to this country.
* These students are an important part of our nation’s future.
* Undocumented students who are college-ready have proven they can succeed.
* They are not asking to be given anything; they just want to be fairly considered.
* They affirm our belief in the value of hard work.
* They are powerful role models.
* Under federal law, all students – regardless of citizenship or residency – are entitled to a K-12 education, including college counseling services.
* We’ve already invested in these students’ educations.
* When the DREAM Act passes, these students will have a path towards legal residency.
* With DACA, they will be granted an employment authorization,thus these youth and young adults will be able to practice their professions. (National Education Association, n.d)
Other Benefits:
1. The DREAM Act would give beneficiaries access to greater educational opportunities and better jobs, which in turn means more taxable income. 2. The DREAM Act would save taxpayers money.
3. The DREAM Act would encourage beneficiaries to invest in the U.S. economy.
4. The DREAM Act would likely reduce the drop-out rate for immigrant students.
5. The DREAM Act would help universities financially.
6. The DREAM Act keeps talented students in the United States.
7. The DREAM Act would not harm American workers (American Immigration Council, 2010).
In June of 2012, the Obama administration announced that it would accept requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an initiative designed to temporarily suspend the deportation of young people residing unlawfully in the U.S. who were brought to the United States as children, meet certain education requirements and generally match the criteria established under legislative proposals like the DREAM Act. The implementation of the program is being carefully monitored by the American Immigration Council (American Immigration Council, 2012).
Chapman, C. (2012, August 15). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) [Official USCIS video] [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34EdDwEqKWY
National Education Association. (n.d.). Guide for teachers helping dreamers. Retrieved from http://unitedwedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/guide4teachers_daca.pdf • Summarize the law or policy. Do not copy/plagiarize from other websites.
• Analyze how this law or policy impacts education today• Draw from multiple sources of information (drawn from primary documents, articles, newspapers, etc.)• Cite sources you used (use APA citations) and use the link feature above to link directly to web based resources.
The general format should include at minimum the following:
Summary of the Law
How this law affects teachers, students, and education
References
Additional Sources
Summary:
The Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act is a legislation that was introduced in 2001 to help individuals who meet certain requirements have the opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship. These individuals would not have these opportunities without this legislation. It would give the opportunity for undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S since they were young an opportunity to give back to the country and a chance to utilize their education and talents (Group DREAM Act, 2011).Each year, approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school but cannot go to college, join the military, work, or pursue their dreams. They belong to the 1.5 generation immigrants brought to the United States at a young age who were largely raised in this country and therefore share much in common with second-generation Americans. These students are culturally American because they grow up here and often very little attachment to their country of birth. They tend to be fluent in English. Many don’t even know that they are undocumented immigrants until they apply for a driver’s license or college. At this point, they learn they lack Social Security numbers and other necessary legal documents (American Immigration Council, 2011).
Important dates in the DREAM act:
- 2001- The DREAM Act is introduced for the first time to the 107th congress as H.R. 1918 and S.1291 in the House of Representatives and Senate respectively
- 2002-2006- The republican party had control of congress, an due to their big opposition to the legislation, the bill was turned down every time it was introduced.
- 2010-The latest version of the bill was introduced On December, 2010, when the DREAM Act was brought up and passed in the House by a vote of 216-198 (H.R. 5281). However, when it reached the Senate on December 18, 2010, it fell five votes short of cloture, receiving 55 yeas and 41 nays.
There have been at least 21 subsequent bills attempting to pass a form of relief for DREAMers since its initial introduction in 2001 (LawLogix, 2013).See more at: DREAM Act legislation
Who would qualify?
How does this law effect teachers, students and education?
* We want the best and brightest students to attend our colleges and contribute meaningfully to this country.
* These students are an important part of our nation’s future.
* Undocumented students who are college-ready have proven they can succeed.
* They are not asking to be given anything; they just want to be fairly considered.
* They affirm our belief in the value of hard work.
* They are powerful role models.
* Under federal law, all students – regardless of citizenship or residency – are entitled to a K-12 education, including college counseling services.
* We’ve already invested in these students’ educations.
* When the DREAM Act passes, these students will have a path towards legal residency.
* With DACA, they will be granted an employment authorization,thus these youth and young adults will be able to practice their professions.
(National Education Association, n.d)
Other Benefits:
1. The DREAM Act would give beneficiaries access to greater educational opportunities and better jobs, which in turn means more taxable income.
2. The DREAM Act would save taxpayers money.
3. The DREAM Act would encourage beneficiaries to invest in the U.S. economy.
4. The DREAM Act would likely reduce the drop-out rate for immigrant students.
5. The DREAM Act would help universities financially.
6. The DREAM Act keeps talented students in the United States.
7. The DREAM Act would not harm American workers (American Immigration Council, 2010).
For more details on this:The DREAM Act: Creating economic opportunities
Here are some resources specifically for teachers:
Guide for teachers
Important information that impacts the DREAM Act:
In June of 2012, the Obama administration announced that it would accept requests for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an initiative designed to temporarily suspend the deportation of young people residing unlawfully in the U.S. who were brought to the United States as children, meet certain education requirements and generally match the criteria established under legislative proposals like the DREAM Act. The implementation of the program is being carefully monitored by the American Immigration Council (American Immigration Council, 2012).
Here is a link that can help guide your students through the application process:
Georgia DACA Application process
Interesting Videos:
DREAM Act
DACA:
Additional links:
Original DREAM bill
Facts about the DREAM ct
Myths about the DREAM Act
Interesting documentary
References:
American Immigration Council. (2010, November 18). The DREAM Act: Creating economic opportunities | Immigration Policy Center. Retrieved from http://immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act-supporting-us-economy-creating-opportunities-immigrant-students
American Immigration Council. (2011, May 18). The DREAM Act | Immigration Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just- facts/dream-act
American Immigration Council. (2012, October 25). The DREAM Act | Immigration Policy Center. Retrieved from http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/issues/DREAM-Act
Astrini, B. (2011, December 2). Undocumented Shadows - A Dream Act Infographic [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=MXnqhG2h9QA
Chapman, C. (2012, August 15). Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) [Official USCIS video] [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34EdDwEqKWY
Group Dream Act. (2011, November 30). [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://dreamersact.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/history-dream-act/
Group DREAM Act. (2011, November 30). History: DREAM act | the DREAM Act. Retrieved from https://dreamersact.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/history-dream-act/
LawLogix. (2013, October 30). What is the DREAM Act and who are DREAMers? | LawLogix. Retrieved from http://www.lawlogix.com/what-is-dream- act-and-who-are-dreamers
New York State Youth Leadership Council. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.powerpoetry.org/actions/dream-act-write-dreamers
National Education Association. (n.d.). Guide for teachers helping dreamers. Retrieved from http://unitedwedream.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/guide4teachers_daca.pdf
• Summarize the law or policy. Do not copy/plagiarize from other websites.
• Analyze how this law or policy impacts education today• Draw from multiple sources of information (drawn from primary documents, articles, newspapers, etc.)• Cite sources you used (use APA citations) and use the link feature above to link directly to web based resources.
The general format should include at minimum the following:
Summary of the Law
How this law affects teachers, students, and education
References
Additional Sources