Posted on 09/26/2007 1:05:02 PM PDT by yorkie
WASHINGTON — The hope for immediate Senate action on the DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of young illegal immigrants, faded Tuesday as the measure's chief Senate sponsor acknowledged he was having difficulty surmounting Republican opposition.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., has been seeking to attach the DREAM Act to the defense authorization bill pending in the Senate. But in an interview Tuesday, he said the DREAM Act isn't among the items on the table as Republican and Democratic leaders discuss ways to quickly wrap up debate on the defense bill.
"We haven't given up completely, but the options on this bill are limited,'' Durbin said.
"I'm disappointed for thousands of young people whose lives are just in limbo," he added. "They want to move on with their lives and do good things, and unfortunately we haven't been able to pass the laws to make that happen."
Immigrant-rights advocates were dismayed by the setback but vowed to find other means to pass the legislation, which they have sought since 2001.
"There is no question that this issue doesn't stop here," said Cecilia Muñoz, senior vice president of the National Council of La Raza. "The longer we wait, the more talented young people we close the door of opportunity to."
The DREAM Act would allow illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. before the age of 16, and have lived here at least five years, to receive conditional legal status if they have graduated from high school and have a clean record. After six years, they could become permanent legal residents if they serve in the U.S. military for at least two years or complete at least two years of college. As with most green card holders, they could apply for citizenship after five years.
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
BUMP
apparently Reid is going to bring this back!!!!
The effete elites are STILL pushing AMNESTY they did not lean!!
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