June 27, 2011 | 4:37 PM | By

2011 version of the Dream Act to get its first Senate hearing

FILED UNDER: Health/Education, Politics/Justice, Coming out undocumented, Dream Act, Jose Antonio Vargas, Sen. Dick Durbin

Photo by CSU Stanislaus Photo/Flickr (Creative Commons)

A new and slightly revised version of the federal Dream Act will get its first Senate hearing tomorrow morning, more than a month after Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and other top Senate Democrats announced plans to bring it back.

The new Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act differs only slightly from the one approved by the House last December, which moved to the Senate but failed to draw enough votes for cloture.

Like prior versions, the bill would grant conditional legal status to qualifying young people who are in the United States illegally but were brought here as minors under 16, so long as they attend college or join the military. There are only a few key differences from last year’s version:

  • The age cap for applicants, which was reduced to age 29 last year, has been bumped back up to 35 years of age or younger
  • The length of conditional legal status before applicants may obtain permanent legal resident status has been reduced to six years, as in an earlier version, from 10 years
  • This version would, as did an earlier version (but not the House-approved one), seek to repeal a ban on in-state tuition rates for beneficiaries

To obtain permanent legal status, in addition to maintaining “good moral character” during the conditional period, beneficiaries would need to: a) have acquired a degree from an institute of higher learning, or at least completed two years in good standing toward a bachelor’s or higher degree; b) served at least two years in “uniformed services” and, if discharged, received an honorable discharge. More details can be found in a previous post.

The bill will heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on immigration, refugees and border security, according to Durbin’s website. Among the witnesses will be Homeland Security secretary Janet Napolitano, retired Lt. Colonel Margaret Stock and Steven Camarota, research director for the immigration-restriction think tank Center for Immigration Studies.

The hearing comes on the heels of the “coming out” of a prominent journalist as undocumented. Last week, ex-Washington Post reporter and Pulitzer winner Jose Antonio Vargas wrote in a New York Times essay that he has been here illegally since childhood. He said his confession was inspired by a burgeoning movement of undocumented youths who have been revealing their immigration status, hoping to put a face on those who would benefit from the Dream Act.

  • averageamerican

      So change the bill anyway you want …It is still a piece of unuseable paper, like the Dreamers.     Lets keep this in the right frame of mine……The kids are here illegal any special rights given to them is just that illegal…….What about the American kids going to school ???????  Why do you want to keep these U.S. kids from getting ahead in school…….First take care of the American students……They are the Seantor, doctors, and teachers of the future…….Not Illegal kids……If mommy and daddy got to the states illegal for whatever reason……Then the first time the dreamers find out they are not U.S. kids is when they get out of high school….That is what around a average of 10-15years……So why have mommy and daddy not done the right thing and get legal again????????/    The saying goes…Don’t punish the kids for the parents crimes………..How about they all go back to where they came from……Becasuse the kids problem is the parents, not mine……..Repeat NOT MY PROBLEM………Put the blame where it is do….on the parents……

          I am not mean just broke and dont have a job……Yes they can go home and not try to take a job from me or any other American……

  • Joseambriz89

    They take jobs from you really? Aren’t there a lot of jobs illegals left in Alabama? And no Americans want to do or can’t handle? Just keep blaming it on the people that don’t cause u harm typical blind American open your eyes its the country that takes your jobs do you know what outsourcing means research it.

  • avoiceforDREAMers

    Dear averageamerican,
    First of all you misspelled unuseable its unusable and well all of these Dreamers that you so negatively  talk about are not useless, they are often those students who work the hardest in classes and excel in all types of academics as well as extra-curricular activities. No body is hindering any of the American kids from obtaining a higher education, they can still do so if they please. The way I see it is that if you work hard enough you should be able to prove yourself and obtain that education regardless of your legal status. The Dreamers can to become the doctors, senators and teachers of the future. You are ill informed if they really could become legal in an easy manor do you not think that they would of done it already? You are foolish you have no idea how difficult it is to even get a visa here in the states without having any money, it is costly and most people can not afford of, for they are work low paid jobs that even you feel are beneath your intellect.
    I am sorry that you have lost your job, however i am sure that they are not trying to take it from you. Most immigrants take low wage jobs without any benefits and i am almost certain that you would never take a job like this because you are a spoiled American and you feel it is your birthright to have an amazing job because you are a citizen.

  • avoiceforDREAMers

    Dear averageamerican,
    First of all you misspelled unuseable its unusable and well all of these Dreamers that you so negatively  talk about are not useless, they are often those students who work the hardest in classes and excel in all types of academics as well as extra-curricular activities. No body is hindering any of the American kids from obtaining a higher education, they can still do so if they please. The way I see it is that if you work hard enough you should be able to prove yourself and obtain that education regardless of your legal status. The Dreamers can to become the doctors, senators and teachers of the future. You are ill informed if they really could become legal in an easy manor do you not think that they would of done it already? You are foolish you have no idea how difficult it is to even get a visa here in the states without having any money, it is costly and most people can not afford of, for they are work low paid jobs that even you feel are beneath your intellect.
    I am sorry that you have lost your job, however i am sure that they are not trying to take it from you. Most immigrants take low wage jobs without any benefits and i am almost certain that you would never take a job like this because you are a spoiled American and you feel it is your birthright to have an amazing job because you are a citizen.

  • averageamerican

    Call me what you will …Just dont forget to call me a AMERICAN first and formost…….I repeat what i said ….The parents need to become legal……..Lets face it…11-12 million people here illegaly are still ILLEAGAL…..This is a country of laws.   You a golden plate to eat off because you get good grades???????   That doesn’t mean you get a free ride thru school on my taxpaying dime….You demand a education …Then get one on your own dime not mine…..No,  A education in America is not a right I severed my country in war and now the country owes me big time…..I put my life on the line for this right to speak and get a education…..I pittey you for not being a AMERICAN….Try something else…Not the blame trip…I earned my rights the right way because I am a AMERICAN.

  • averageamerican

    The people that dont cause me harm???????  To go to K-12 in school that takes money …American taxpayer money then Dreamers..Demand to go to college at a in state tuition rate…….American kids going to college don’t get this type of break…Why should dreamers that are here illegaly???????
    I am putting my money were my month is …Only on American kids……Not illegaly kids……..Lets face it you have the right to leave at anytime…..As I am American vet I that will take any job….If a dream job comes my way …Look out hoza as you are in my way …….So move over already.  So get in the back of the line and apply for a visa like 500,000 people from around the world do very day……..How by the way have a nice day…Opps is that ICE over there…..

  • averageamerican

    The people that dont cause me harm???????  To go to K-12 in school that takes money …American taxpayer money then Dreamers..Demand to go to college at a in state tuition rate…….American kids going to college don’t get this type of break…Why should dreamers that are here illegaly???????
    I am putting my money were my month is …Only on American kids……Not illegaly kids……..Lets face it you have the right to leave at anytime…..As I am American vet I that will take any job….If a dream job comes my way …Look out hoza as you are in my way …….So move over already.  So get in the back of the line and apply for a visa like 500,000 people from around the world do very day……..How by the way have a nice day…Opps is that ICE over there…..

  • averageamerican

    spoiled American…Wont take low paying jobs……cant seem to understand why Dreamers shouldn’t get the same rights as Americans…….Kid I help put some freinds in the ground from getting killed in the war……..Now you tell me I have to do things for you …???  When over a millioin people a year apply to be in this country ever year…the legal way……..Stay in your hole and hidden as Americans are tired and sick of you wineing about your rights…I am awake and I am looking at you and yours….I see what you are saying..Now listen to what I am saying…….
      
                 Leave or get legal …..Its all black and white….Really clear for you to understand…You don’t need a education for this one…….You have no rights now or ever if you are illegal…..Don’t ask for any, as none are coming your way.  Really simple for you …America for Americans…..I was born here where you ???????  

  • averageamerican

    spoiled American…Wont take low paying jobs……cant seem to understand why Dreamers shouldn’t get the same rights as Americans…….Kid I help put some freinds in the ground from getting killed in the war……..Now you tell me I have to do things for you …???  When over a millioin people a year apply to be in this country ever year…the legal way……..Stay in your hole and hidden as Americans are tired and sick of you wineing about your rights…I am awake and I am looking at you and yours….I see what you are saying..Now listen to what I am saying…….
      
                 Leave or get legal …..Its all black and white….Really clear for you to understand…You don’t need a education for this one…….You have no rights now or ever if you are illegal…..Don’t ask for any, as none are coming your way.  Really simple for you …America for Americans…..I was born here where you ???????  

  • Shadylawnrocks

    @34ed45f73109d73f4786edc334294aa9:disqus I hear u man!! Loud n clear Im so sick n tired of America having to pay everyone dues! We help n help n get nothing back for it around the world Thats our image like the dumb dad u can take advantage of n its sickening to know considering everything we’ve worked for !! But that’s the roll we choose to take WE are proud defenders of FREEDOM peace justice we are great people we are an entirely different  than what are Government represent I truly belief that our hearts are in the right places If WW2 has taught us anything is that were ever evil lurks We will b there ready to kick some ass!! So I see immigration the same Americans should b more than willing to open  doorsteps to those who deserve it! truth b told most immigrants are proud hardworking people who refuse EBT or any other kind of Government funds,even if they tried they cant so let me get this straight they work hard n pay taxes study n contribute to society cant get financial backup yet they are affecting us ?? While lots of citizens thrive on EBT UNEMPLOYMENT FINANCIAL AID !! Ive met probably one person my whole life who actually uses there financial aid for school !! None the less those are citizens right we just have to deal with it !And as far as image u cant blame those who come here n mess things up the same can be said for Americans but we do not let those kind represent u right !! I can proudly say than out of my friends Im the one who cares the most Im making my shirts that say BUY  American My car will B American dont matter how much better The next car is why because I love this country n Im grateful for everything shes giving me IM extremely exited n Looking forward to Soon joining the AIR FORCE !! n doing my part ! The crazy part is hopefully im just getting  my residents card ! Ive been here since I was 3 im 22 years N u have no idea how hard life has been but im not a quitter or a criminal Im just as proud to b as American as the next guy !! I know it immigration is a hard topic but thats why I feel the dream act is perfect it allows us to see the bad from the good who really wants it n deserves it u say apply like everyone else first of all without cash u aint got much of a chance n that means any asshole with money possibly drug money can obtain it .Im not asking for FREEdom im showing n working for mine let us who deserve it obtain the rights u were born with alone. From there on I dont got to tell you how hard life can b ! right ?