Latino Leaders Meet Today to Oppose DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Progressives for Immigration Reform:

When: Today at 11 a.m.

Where:  Outside steps of Cannon Building – Independence and New Jersey Avenue Entrance

Today at 11 a.m. Latino leaders will join on Capitol Hill to oppose passage of the controversial measure, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 (DREAM Act).  The DREAM Act would provide certain minors who are illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they attend college for two years or join the military.  There are an estimated 12-20 million illegal immigrants residing in the United States.  Proponents and Democratic leaders have pushed hard for the bill's passage and a House vote is expected later this week.  

According to Carmen Morales, Latino activist and a leader of the coalition, "Latino leaders are gathered today in solidarity.  We are here to send a strong message to Congress that as Latinos, we stand staunchly opposed to any measure that puts Americans at a disadvantage and rewards illegal behavior."

According to congressional statements and the Migration Policy Institute, if passed, the bill could potentially grant amnesty to as many as 2.1 million illegal immigrants.  With unemployment officially at 9.8% this is a huge mistake.  "I think progressives and conservatives alike can agree on the need to support working and middle-class citizens during a depressed economy," said Leah Durant, Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform.  "This bill would provide in-state tuition rates and residency benefits to illegal immigrant students when many Americans are hurting the most.  What makes sense is for America's jobs and tuition benefits to be reserved for people who are legally entitled to compete for them."  

Key provisions of the DREAM Act would:

• Waive numerical limitations on green cards, and prohibit any numerical limitation on the number of persons eligible for citizenship under the bill's provisions.  
• Allow certain aliens to qualify for in-state tuition rates, even while this benefit is denied to U.S. citizens and legally present aliens residing in other states.      

For more information about this press conference please contact:  (202) 543-5325 or [email protected].

SOURCE Progressives for Immigration Reform