Source:
AFL CIOWith the Senate set to vote next week on the DREAM Act, a group of student, progressive and immigrant activists launched a national week of action to urge lawmakers to vote for the bill.
Momentum for passage picked up significantly after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced earlier this week that the legislation will be attached to the Defense authorization bill when it comes up for a vote. If enacted, The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, would allow undocumented students who have lived in the United States for at least five years and have graduated from high school or received a graduate equivalency diploma (GED) to legalize their immigration status by pursuing a college education or serving in the U.S. military.
The AFL-CIO Executive Council at its August meeting pointed out that students—who were brought to this country by their parents—have grown up in the United States, attended local schools, and have demonstrated a sustained commitment to succeed in the educational system. But immigration laws provide no avenue for these students to become legal residents. The Council called on the Congress to muster up some political will and act to help these students make a positive contribution to our society.
Read more:
http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/09/16/activists-launch-week-of-action-for-dream-act/
The union's statement of support for the DREAM Act is at
http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/thisistheaflcio/ecouncil/ec08052010i.cfm.