The 2023 Dream Act

I am excited to share with you the latest news on The Dream Act.  New legislation has been proposed in Congress that seeks to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

The Dream Act, which stands for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, has been reintroduced in the Senate with strong bipartisan support. If passed, it would provide a permanent solution for individuals who have lived in the United States for most of their lives and have contributed to their communities but have been unable to fully participate in the American Dream due to their immigration status.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and The Dream Act are two separate initiatives that seek to provide a pathway to citizenship.  DACA is a current program that was established in 2012 under the Obama administration, which allows eligible individuals to apply for temporary protection from deportation and work authorization for a period of two years, subject to renewal.  Unfortunately, this program was closed to new applicants due to federal litigation.

Under The Dream Act, eligible individuals would be able to apply for conditional permanent residency, which could eventually lead to citizenship if they meet certain requirements, such as obtaining a college degree or serving in the military. To be eligible under The Dream Act, individuals must have arrived in the US before the age of 18, have lived in the US for at least four years prior to the date of enactment of The Dream Act.  They must also have graduated from high school, obtained a GED or been accepted into an institution of higher education.  

Although this legislation faces a steep uphill climb for approval, it has been a long time coming and has been championed by advocates for immigrant rights for years. It recognizes the contributions of Dreamers to our country and the need to provide them with a pathway to citizenship. It also represents a significant step forward in our nation's ongoing efforts to create a fair and just immigration system.