I wanted to post a link for those who do not know what the Dream Act is or have not heard about it, are not aware of it or would just like to see the updated version. I chose this link because I believe it's from a very reliable source I have found online. I believe it's the most up-to-date overview of what it's all about.
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Exploring more on this issue I was curious to find out the origin and background of the DREAM Act. Through some online research I came to find out that back in 1982, a Federal legislation was enacted. This legislation entitled all students to a public education for grades k-12. The same year, the Supreme Court upheld this legislation in the case known as Plyer v. Doe. This policy further guarantees all access to k-12 to free public education regardless of immigration or legal status. Yet this federal guarantee was not extended to students wishing to go onto a college or university.
Furthermore in 1996, there was a federal law called The Illegal Immigration Reform & Migrant Responsibility Act which prohibits states from providing a post-secondary education benefit to an alien not lawfully present unless any citizen or national is eligible for such benefit. The DREAM Act would amend the 1996 law.
Currently Virginia State Attorney General has prohibited any post-secondary institution from admitting students without documentation.
As far as personal knowledge I know that the DREAM Act has had a tough battle against congress for the past decade since 2000 or 2001. They have presented the bill at the table at least 13 times and the bill has been shut down 13 times.
Looking at the Dream Act, I find it interesting that it would give legal status to those who "serve in the U.S. military." This seems like an element of the law with broad appeal, because who would want to limit people's chances of serving in our military? If the children of immigrants want to serve the US in this (risky) way, then by all means, shouldn't we let them and reward them? Plus, if serving in the military is a path towards citizenship, it might encourage more military recruits, which is something the country always needs.
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