Lawmakers are still figuring out the future of nearly 1.9 million young undocumented immigrants, known as “Dreamers.” These young people were brought to the U.S. as kids and have lived in limbo ever since. They could be deported at any time.
But, there’s hope. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Dick Durbin (D-Illinois) have brought back the DREAM Act of 2023. This bill could give Dreamers a chance at citizenship.
The DREAM Act has been around for 20 years. It aims to help young undocumented immigrants. The bill keeps changing, but its main goal is always the same: to help Dreamers and match with American values of fairness and chance.
Key Takeaways
- The DREAM Act is proposed legislation that would permanently protect certain immigrants who came to the United States as children but are vulnerable to deportation.
- Over the past 20 years, at least 20 versions of the Dream Act have been introduced in Congress, with the goal of providing a pathway to legal status for undocumented people who came to this country as children.
- The current Dream Act of 2023 aims to address the ongoing challenges faced by young undocumented immigrants, commonly referred to as “Dreamers,” by offering a pathway to permanent status.
- The Dream Act aligns with American values by providing a fair legislative solution for young undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children.
- The Dream Act resolves legal concerns related to DACA and offers Dreamers permanent status, which can benefit the American economy by allowing them to work legally, pay taxes, and contribute to the workforce.
What is the DREAM Act?
The DREAM Act is a bill that aims to give a chance for citizenship to certain undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as kids. These young people are often called “Dreamers.” They would get help from the DREAM Act.
Definition and Background
The first DREAM Act was introduced in 2001. Since then, it has been brought up many times in Congress, getting support from both sides but not passing yet. It’s part of the ongoing talks on immigration reform in the U.S.
Key Provisions and Requirements
The DREAM Act would let undocumented immigrants who came here as kids get conditional permanent resident (CPR) status. This status would protect them from being deported and allow them to work. To get CPR status, they must prove they’ve been in the U.S. continuously, finish high school or get a GED, and pass a background check.
Later, they could move to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status by doing things like going to college, joining the military, or working. This is if they meet more requirements.
Over 20 versions of the DREAM Act have been introduced in Congress over the years. Some have gotten a lot of support from both sides and almost passed. The DREAM Act of 2023 (S. 365) and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 (H.R. 16) are being looked at now. H.R. 16 and the DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3599) also offer a way to citizenship for documented Dreamers.
Current Federal Legislative Proposals
In 2023, several key bills have come forward to help Dreamers and other vulnerable immigrants. These bills aim to help those brought to the U.S. as children, known as Dreamers. They also help Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders.
The Dream Act of 2023 (S. 365)
The bipartisan Dream Act of 2023 (S. 365) was introduced on February 9, 2023. It would protect Dreamers from deportation and offer them a way to become citizens. Dreamers must live in the U.S. continuously, finish high school or get a GED, and pass a background check to qualify.
American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 (H.R. 16)
The American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 (H.R. 16) was brought to the House on June 15, 2023. It would give a way to citizenship for Dreamers and “documented Dreamers.” These are minor children who came to the U.S. on their parents’ work visas. The bill also helps those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).
DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3599)
The DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3599) was introduced on May 23, 2023. It’s similar to the American Dream and Promise Act. It offers a path to citizenship for Dreamers, documented Dreamers, and TPS and DED holders. The bill also lets Dreamers deported under the Trump administration apply for relief from outside the U.S.
These bills show the ongoing effort to solve the complex issue of giving a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other immigrants in the U.S.
Dreamers, DREAM Act: Eligibility and Requirements
The DREAM Act helps certain undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as kids. To get conditional permanent resident (CPR) status, they must show they came as minors. They also need to have lived here for a certain time and finished high school or got a GED.
Eligibility for Conditional Permanent Resident Status
To get CPR status, applicants must pass background checks. They must show they have “good moral character” with no serious crimes. The rules for eligibility might change a bit with different bills, but the main points stay the same.
Transitioning to Lawful Permanent Resident Status
Once they have CPR status, people can move to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status, or a “green card.” They must meet more requirements for this. These can include finishing college, joining the military for two years, or working for three years. The DREAM Act offers ways for Dreamers to get LPR status and then become U.S. citizens through naturalization.
The DREAM Act’s rules help Dreamers with their education, military service, and jobs. This supports the social, economic, and cultural life of the U.S.
Estimated Number of Eligible Dreamers
The DREAM Act could make about 1.9 million Eligible Dreamers. This includes around 600,000 current DACA recipients. They would get protection from deportation and a chance for citizenship. The exact number of Eligible Dreamers changes with different proposals. S. 365 says about 1.6 million would be eligible right away. H.R. 16 and H.R. 3599 suggest around 1.8 million.
Some important Estimates about the DREAM Act and Eligible Dreamers are:
- Nearly 2.3 million immigrants in the U.S. would be eligible under the 2023 Dream Act. This is about one-fifth of all undocumented immigrants here.
- More than 1 million immigrants, over half of those covered by the Dream Act, are already eligible for DACA.
- About 590,000 Dreamers had DACA status by September 30, 2022. They would be eligible for permanent residence right away under the Dream Act of 2023.
These numbers show how big an effect the DREAM Act could have. It could give a chance for citizenship to a big part of the undocumented immigrant population in the U.S.
Key Differences in Current Legislative Proposals
The DREAM Act proposals aim to help Dreamers get a path to citizenship. But, they have different rules and criteria. These differences affect who can get help and how the laws work.
There are several DREAM Act proposals out there. The Dream Act of 2023, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2023, and the DIGNIDAD (Dignity) Act of 2023 are some. They differ in important ways:
- Age of Arrival: Each bill sets a different cut-off date for when Dreamers must have arrived in the U.S. to qualify.
- Length of Continuous U.S. Residence: The time Dreamers must live in the U.S. without gaps varies by proposal. This affects who can qualify.
- Validity Period of Conditional Permanent Residence: The bills have different rules for how long Dreamers must keep their conditional status before getting lawful permanent residency.
- Criminal Offenses: What criminal convictions make someone ineligible varies by bill.
Also, the bills treat “documented Dreamers” differently. These are people who came to the U.S. as kids but didn’t get lawful permanent status. Some bills also help other groups like Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.
The differences in the DREAM Act proposals show how complex immigration laws are. As Congress works on these bills, it’s important to look closely at each detail. This will help understand how they could affect Dreamers’ lives.
Why the DREAM Act Supports American Values
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan solution that matches well with American values. It gives a chance for young immigrants, known as “Dreamers,” to become citizens. These young people were brought to the U.S. as kids. The DREAM Act aims to help over 2 million immigrants, letting them keep adding to American society.
This act also has big economic benefits. The Congressional Budget Office says it will save $1.4 billion and bring in $2.3 billion more in revenue over 10 years. A UCLA study shows that these young immigrants could add $1.4 to $3.6 trillion in taxes over their lifetimes.
Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, supports the DREAM Act. He believes immigrants are key to the country’s growth. The act focuses on fairness and how immigrants help the economy. It’s a key bill that should be considered by all lawmakers.
The DREAM Act is facing legal and political hurdles. Yet, its values of fairness, economic contribution, and bipartisanship are true to the American spirit. Supporting this bill lets lawmakers show they care about the U.S. values of opportunity and hope.
Historical Legislative Efforts and Background
The DREAM Act has been around for over 20 years, starting in 2001 with Senators Dick Durbin and Orrin Hatch. Since then, more than 20 versions have been introduced, each with different rules. Despite support from both sides, it has not passed in Congress yet.
Origins and Early Versions
The DREAM Act was first suggested to help young immigrants who came to the U.S. as kids. The bill had rules like being 12 to 35 years old and living in the U.S. for 5 years. It aimed to help those who grew up here but didn’t know their legal status.
2009 Reintroduction
In 2009, the DREAM Act was brought back to Congress. It was introduced in both the and Senate. Senators like Dick Durbin and Ted Kennedy supported it. In the House, Representative Howard Berman introduced it. The bill had rules for who could qualify, like being 12 to 35 and living in the U.S. for 5 years.
Even with efforts, the DREAM Act has faced hurdles to become a law. The debate has focused on helping young immigrants and broader immigration reform.
Potential Benefits and Impact
Economic Impact
The DREAM Act could greatly benefit the economy. It would let young undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers, keep working and adding to the American workforce. They could work legally, pay taxes, and even start businesses that create jobs for Americans.
Legalizing 2.1 million immigrants under the DREAM Act could add $3.6 trillion to the economy over 40 years. The Congressional Budget Office says the bill would also cut federal deficits by about $1.4 billion from 2011 to 2020. It would help fix workforce shortages and give a permanent solution to hundreds of thousands of workers who could lose their right to work otherwise.
Supporting American Values
The DREAM Act is seen as supporting American values. It treats young undocumented immigrants, brought to the U.S. as kids, fairly. It lets them stay in the U.S., work, and contribute to their communities.
Offering a path to citizenship shows fairness and the American dream of opportunity for everyone. This bill is about making sure Dreamers can keep living and working in the U.S.
Passing the DREAM Act would greatly benefit the U.S. It would help the economy and support American values. By giving legal status and work rights to young undocumented immigrants, the bill lets them keep adding to the workforce and economy. It also upholds fairness and the chance for everyone to succeed, which are key to the American dream.
Criticisms and Counterarguments
While the DREAM Act has support from both sides, it has faced criticism. Some call it “amnesty” and worry it will lead to more unauthorized immigration and chain migration. Others say it should only be part of a bigger immigration reform plan.
There are also worries about the immigration databases used to check if someone is in a gang. These concerns could stop some Dreamers from getting into the program.
Despite the criticism, supporters see the DREAM Act as a fair way to help undocumented immigrants who grew up in the U.S. They believe it’s in line with American values. It offers a chance for legal status and citizenship to those who came here as kids, through no fault of their own.
Conclusion
The DREAM Act is a push for a law to help young undocumented immigrants, known as Dreamers. These are people who came to the US as kids. Despite many tries over 20 years, it hasn’t passed yet. The latest bills, like the Dream Act of 2023, aim to give Dreamers a way to citizenship. They also help with the legal issues of the DACA program and support fairness and chance for everyone.
The debate on the DREAM Act focuses on its benefits and effects on the economy, workforce, and Dreamers. Over 800,000 Dreamers have been able to live and work in the US without fear thanks to DACA. But, DACA’s future is unsure because a judge in Texas said it’s illegal. Now, a Republican-appointed judge is deciding on its fate due to legal challenges.
Even with the challenges, the American people strongly support the “Home is Here” message for DACA recipients and their families. There are ongoing efforts to give them a way to citizenship. It’s important to keep focusing on Dreamers’ needs and values. We need to find a lasting solution so these young people can keep thriving and making a difference in our country.
