Senators Push to Halt Deportation of Immigrant Students

The controversial new immigration law in Arizona has renewed debate across the country about immigrant status -- including the status of many college and university students.  Recently, Sens. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) urged the administration to halt the deportation of any student that could gain citizenship under legislation they've introduced -- the DREAM Act, S. 729.

The DREAM Act would permit undocumented students to become permanent legal residents if they came to the U.S. as children, have lived here long-term, are in good legal standing, and attend college or enlist in the military for at least two years.  While the administration supports the DREAM Act, students are still subject to deportation until it becomes law.

The letter urges Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to immediately halt the deportation of DREAM-eligible students.  The DREAM Act is widely supported by a broad coalition that includes higher education, labor, civil rights, and religious groups, among others.  The DREAM Act would allow a generation of immigrant students with great potential and ambitions easier access to higher education and, eventually, the ability to make a greater contribution to society.

With the Arizona law reenergizing the immigration debate in Congress, DREAM supporters are hoping the controversy could jump-start bill consideration.

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Sarah Flanagan