DREAM Act (Senate 3992)

Help Support the American DREAM! Take Action!   Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has placed the Develop- ment, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (S. 3992) on the Senate calendar. This means the Senate may vote on the bill soon. Write your senators NOW and tell them that  undocumented students who have known no other home than  the United States deserve the opportunity to pursue the dream  of a higher education! Under the DREAM Act, undocumented students who were brought into the U.S. before they were 16 and have lived here for at least five years could gain permanent legal status and eventually citizenship if they attend college or join the military for at least two years and display good moral character. These students, who frequently had no say in their parents' decision to enter the U.S., would also be eligible to apply for federal student loans. The DREAM Act benefits not only these students, but the well- being of our nation as well. On average, a worker’s earnings double with a college degree compared to a high school degree. Increased education and earnings lead to increased tax revenue, decreased reliance on public assistance programs, lower unemployment rates, and increased voting, volunteering, and other civic activities.  A well-educated society is a stronger  society. AAUW is committed to making the dream of higher education a reality for all students. Without the DREAM Act, hard-working students who consider the United States their home and had no say in the decision to come here in the first place will continue to be punished, and the cycle of poverty will continue to be propagated by condemning these students to low-wage jobs. Take Action! Urge your senators to support the DREAM Act. Simply click on the “Take Action” link in the upper right corner. Then follow the instructions to compose and send your message. If your senators have already signed on as a cosponsor, you will be able to send them a message of thanks. Leave your comments about this legislation on AAUW Dialog. Washington Update, a weekly e-mail bulletin for AAUW members, offers an insider's view on the public policy process, the latest policy news, resources for advocates, programming ideas, and updates from the Public Policy and Government Relations Department. Subscribe today! Read the 2009-2011 AAUW Public Policy Program. Become part of the AAUW national community and break through barriers for women and girls.  Join now. Strengthen AAUW's voice with policy-makers! Donate now. Connect with AAUW online via our website and blog, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.