Local Students Watch DREAM Act
By: Nadia Bashir
Updated: December 9, 2010
Many undocumented/illegal students in northeast IN are watching how Congress handles the DREAM Act very carefully. The controversial legislation passed the U.S. House but the Senate canceled its vote today.
The House voted primarily along party lines. Congressman Marlin Stutzman is among those opposed. The DREAM Act would allow a path to citizenship for illegals/undocumented residents who came to the U.S. illegally before the age of 16, have lived here for five-years and have a high school diploma (or GED). It would also provide a way for those residents to attend college.
Eddy Lopez is a junior at IPFW majoring in Business Management. He is also president of the student group Hispanos Unidos. Lopez says growing up in Elkhart he saw many of his classmates who were undocumented drop out of high school because they knew there was no chance for college. Lopez strongly supports the DREAM Act.
Congressman Marlin Stutzman disagrees saying securing the border should be the first immigration reform Congress tackles. The newly elected congressman also says the DREAM Act would be very expensive at a time when the country is dealing with many other serious issues.
The House voted primarily along party lines. Congressman Marlin Stutzman is among those opposed. The DREAM Act would allow a path to citizenship for illegals/undocumented residents who came to the U.S. illegally before the age of 16, have lived here for five-years and have a high school diploma (or GED). It would also provide a way for those residents to attend college.
Eddy Lopez is a junior at IPFW majoring in Business Management. He is also president of the student group Hispanos Unidos. Lopez says growing up in Elkhart he saw many of his classmates who were undocumented drop out of high school because they knew there was no chance for college. Lopez strongly supports the DREAM Act.
Congressman Marlin Stutzman disagrees saying securing the border should be the first immigration reform Congress tackles. The newly elected congressman also says the DREAM Act would be very expensive at a time when the country is dealing with many other serious issues.
