The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is a piece of legislation that has the potential to change the lives of millions of undocumented individuals who came to the United States as children. The DREAM Act offers a pathway to citizenship for eligible individuals, providing them with the opportunity to live and work legally in the US without fear of deportation and a pass to legalization and eventually to become a U.S. citizen.

About The DREAM Act

The DREAM Act has a long and complicated history. It was first introduced in 2001, but it has yet to be passed into law. The bill has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with opponents arguing that it rewards those who broke the law by coming to the US illegally. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that the DREAM Act is a humane and just solution for those who was brought to the US as children and have known no other country as their home.

The U.S. tax payers already raised and educated these kids. They are able and willing to work and contribute to the U.S. economy, taxation, workforce, and society at large individuals. It is in the best interest of the U.S. society to keep this people in the U.S.

Who is eligible to The DREAM Act ?

Eligibility for the DREAM Act is based on several factors. To be eligible, an individual must have entered the US before the age of 16 and have lived in the country continuously for at least five years. They must also have graduated from high school or obtained a GED, and be of good moral character. Additionally, the DREAM Act requires eligible individuals to pass a background check and have criminal record of any kind and not to return back or travel outside the U.S. after their initial entry and pay a requested fee.

What’s the benefits of The DREAM Act ?

One of the most significant benefits of the DREAM Act is that it would provide eligible individuals protection from deportation. This means that individuals who meet the eligibility requirements would be allowed to remain in the US and work legally without fear of being removed from the country. Additionally, the DREAM Act would provide a pathway to citizenship for eligible individuals, allowing them to become permanent residents and eventually naturalize as US citizens.

The DREAM Act has the potential to benefit not only eligible individuals but also the US as a whole. By providing undocumented youth with a path to citizenship, the US could benefit from their talents, skills, and contributions to the economy. Additionally, passing the DREAM Act would be a step towards addressing the larger issue of comprehensive immigration reform in the US.

Despite the many benefits of the DREAM Act, in the past 20 years, there have been over 11 different versions of the bill introduced to the Congress and yet the bill has not been passed into law still. There are ongoing efforts to build support for the bill and to push for its passage into law.

The 118th Congress currently had two versions of the Dream Act to review: the Dream Act of 2021 (S. 264) and a version of the Dream Act that is incorporated into a larger bill known as the Dream and Promise Act of 2021 (H.R. 6).

The Dream Act of 2021 was introduced on February 4, 2021 in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham. The two senators introduced identical legislation in the previous two sessions of Congress which did not pass.

The Dream and Promise Act of 2021 was introduced on March 3, 2021 in the House by Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard.

Both bills would provide path to citizenship for Dreamers. H.R. 6 would also provide a path to citizenship to beneficiaries of two additional humanitarian programs: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). And The Biden administration has expressed support for the DREAM Act and other measures to provide relief to undocumented individuals.

Bottom line

The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation that has the potential to change the lives of millions of undocumented individuals who came to the US as children.

The bill offers a pathway to citizenship for eligible individuals, providing them with the opportunity to live and work legally in the US without fear of deportation and to become citizens of the country they believe is their forever home. While the future of the DREAM Act is uncertain, there is hope that it may be passed into law, providing much-needed relief and hope for undocumented youth in the US. Stay tuned as we follow the passage of the DREAM Act in Congress.