By: Logan Krusac
“Education, not deportation!” shouted the Dreamers as they rallied support for their cause in the Kennedy Senate Caucus room. With several media outlets present, these Dreamers—undocumented Americans who would benefit from the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act if it were passed—explained the challenges they face, their desire to pursue higher education, and their hopes to contribute to the country they call home.
On June 28, 2011, Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) led the first Senate hearing on the reintroduction of the DREAM Act. The struggle for the Act began 10 years ago, in 2001, when Senator Durbin cosponsored the first version of what would become the DREAM Act. Since then, it has been reintroduced multiple times, each met with defeat. Now, with a Republican majority in the House and a more narrow Democratic majority in the Senate, many people—including me—are wondering why Senator Durbin would even consider discussing the issue. It was not until I was amongst the Dreamers that I understood his reasons.
When I arrived at the Senate office building two hours prior to the hearing, I was surprised by the number of students already in line. I spoke with these Dreamers as I waited, inspired by how hopeful they were that this legislation could give them a chance. By the time the hearing started, hundreds more had arrived, filling the Senate’s largest hearing room and two overflow rooms to capacity. Less than ten minutes into the hearing, Senator Durbin asked those in the audience who were Dreamers to stand. Suddenly, I was surrounded by an audience of hundreds of Dreamers from diverse backgrounds, all unafraid to stand and publicly proclaim their status.
As the hearing began, multiple impassioned Senators explained the merits of the bill. The phrase that came up throughout the Senate hearing was “common sense legislation.” These students were brought here as children and should not be culpable for the crimes of their parents. Many of them have no memories of their “home” country and some of them do not even speak the language of the nation in which they were born. These students are not just from Mexico or other Latin American countries; they come from all over the world but share a similar story of struggle. Despite the challenges they have faced in this country, they are eager to pursue higher education and contribute to this nation.
The DREAM Act is not providing amnesty for undocumented immigrants, as some opponents claim. In order to qualify for the permanent residency through the DREAM Act, students must meet an extensive list of requirements, including obtaining a college degree or serving in the military. At the Senate hearing, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and Under Secretary of Defense Clifford Stanley explained how the DREAM Act will benefit our economic recovery, national security, and military interests. They noted that this Act can help secure a better future for America by providing opportunities for America’s next generation of doctors, teachers, scientists, and engineers.
Now that some time has passed and the media buzz has settled, it is easier to determine whether the latest reintroduction of the Act was simply political rhetoric or a chance to make these students’ dreams a reality. Analyzing the response from Congressional offices and the media over the past two weeks, the political situation becomes quite clear. Will the DREAM Act pass this legislative session? No, absolutely not. However, I understand and appreciate why Senator Durbin reintroduced the legislation. Part of his reasoning is politics—last time it was introduced, Republicans complained they were not given enough time to consider the bill—but Senator Durbin’s primary reasons are simple: to continue the DREAM Act dialogue and to inspire those whose hopes may be fading.
Perhaps Senator Durbin said it best when he noted that the DREAM Act “is one of the most compelling human rights issues of our time in America.” This bill does not support Democratic or Republican values, it promotes American values. Historically, the Act has received support from both sides of the aisle. When originally introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), it was cosponsored by six Republicans and twelve Democrats. The DREAM Act has received bipartisan support every time it has come to the Senate floor for a vote—a testament to its quintessential American nature.
After spending two days with the Dreamers, I realized just how American these students are. They love the United States and just want a chance to give back to the country they have always called home. Many opponents claim the Dreamers should just “go to the back of the line and wait like everybody else.” However, without the DREAM Act, there is no line for them to wait in. Senator Durbin reintroduced this bill to ensure that both Congress and the American people do not forget about the DREAM Act. He knows better than anyone that it is not a matter of if the DREAM Act passes, but rather when. For the sake of these undocumented Americans, I hope it will be soon.
