Senate Democrats Renew Push For DREAM Act | TPMDC: Seeking to breathe new life into its prospects, on Tuesday Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) chaired the first-ever Senate hearing on the DREAM Act. The bill, which was initially proposed in different form in 2001, would grant citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants who 'have maintained good moral character since entering the U.S.,' and who either attend college or serve in the U.S. armed forces.
Three representatives of the Obama administration, a DREAM student, and the Director of Research for the Center for Immigration Studies were among witnesses who testified before the Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security.
Ola Kaso, a student, testified about her experience in the United States, stating: 'I wish to remain in this country to make a difference. I wish to remain in this country to help Americans . . . I grew up here. I am an American at heart.'
