A Comparison of the DREAM Act and Other Proposals for Undocumented Youth
June 1, 2012
Washington D.C. - Today, the Immigration Policy Center releases A Comparison of the DREAM Act and Other Proposals for Undocumented Youth, a fact sheet comparing various proposals that attempt to address the plight of undocumented students. The fact sheet focuses particularly on the availability of a dedicated path to lawful permanent residence and the policy implications of legislation that does not include such a path.
There is a growing consensus that undocumented youth who graduate from American high schools should not face deportation from the United States. While the DREAM Act—the oldest and best known legislative solution to this problem—has been introduced in both the House and the Senate during the 112th Congress, the once bipartisan support for it in Congress has waned, leaving undocumented youth in limbo.
Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) continues to promote an alternative to the DREAM Act which, according to his public statements, would offer temporary legal status but not provide a dedicated path to permanent residency. Although Sen. Rubio has yet to introduce a bill, continued speculation over its contents has further heightened the sense that a solution for undocumented youth is necessary.
This week, Rep. David Rivera (R-FL) introduced part two of his own solution, the Studying Towards Adjusted Residency Status (STARS) Act, which would provide a path to permanent residency to graduates of a four-year college or university. In January 2012, Rivera introduced the Adjusted Residency Status (ARMS) Act, which would provide a path to permanent residency to undocumented youth who serve in the military.
These current proposals are all discussed in the following fact sheet:
A Comparison of the DREAM Act and Other Proposals for Undocumented Youth (IPC Fact Check, June 2012)
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For futher information contact, Wendy Sefsaf at wsefsaf@immcouncil.org of 202-507-7524