2011-07

Calling for the Support of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011 (DREAM Act of 2011)

Miranda (AZ) Introduced Nov. 19 Annual Meeting (Ratified)

Short Title: Supporting the DREAM Act of 2011

WHEREAS, every student who works hard, who is of good moral character
and who earns a high school diploma should have the opportunity to obtain a higher education; and

WHEREAS, current immigration laws deny intelligent and talented undocumented students the opportunity to join the military or to apply their skills as taxpaying members of America's workforce; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that more than 65,000 undocumented students graduate each year from American high schools. Under current immigration laws, even bright and overachieving children, who have never known another home outside of this country, may be deported because of their parents' action years ago; and

WHEREAS, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act, first introduced in Congress in 2001 and reintroduced for consideration by the current Congress, would permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the United States to apply for temporary legal status, to eventually obtain permanent status and to become eligible for United States citizenship if they go to college or serve in the United States military; and

WHEREAS, enactment of the DREAM Act would bring fiscal, economic and labor-market benefits to individual immigrants, their families and American society in general; and

WHEREAS, enactment of the DREAM Act would eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status; and

WHEREAS, students who prepare for success in college, career and life should know they are supported in their desire to obtain a college education.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the NHCSL, an organization representing the interests of over 300 Hispanic state elected officials, calls upon the Congress of the United States to support the enactment of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011 to give undocumented students the opportunity to attain a degree in higher education or serve in the in the United States military.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED BY NHCSL AND RATIFIED AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO NOVEMBER 19TH, 2011.

Sponsored by: Representative Richard Miranda (AZ)