Supporting and Urging the Passage of the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (Dream) Act
Adopted at the 79th Annual Meeting in 2011
WHEREAS, the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (Dream) Act was first introduced in the Senate in 2001, and has failed on numerous occasions, and will be re- introduced in 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Dream Act provides immigration relief to high school students by allowing them to become permanent residents if they came to the United States as children (under the age of 16), are long-term United States residents (five years or more), have good moral character and attend an institution of higher learning or enlist in the military for at least two years; and
WHEREAS, children who have been brought to the United States illegally should not be punished for the alleged transgressions of their parents/guardians and deserve to be judged on their own character and merit regardless of their country of birth or immigrant status; and
WHEREAS, the Dream Act would provide young people with an incentive to move towards permanent residency, while pursuing further education or serving in the United States Armed Services; and
WHEREAS, approximately 50,000 to 70,000 undocumented students graduate from United States high schools each year without legal status, making it difficult for them to attend college, secure employment or join the military; and
WHEREAS, there is no benefit in the creation of an underclass through the denial of higher education or employment that would prevent individuals from competing in the global economy; and
WHEREAS, there may be numerous families residing in cities in this country whose children would benefit from the passage of the Dream Act; and
WHEREAS, the Dream Act is a practical, fair solution that upholds values of fair opportunity and strong work ethics; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports the passage of the Dream Act and encourages members of the United States Congress to support it, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors supports allowing undocumented alien children to become permanent residents after attending two years of college or joining the military if they came to the United States before the age of 16, have maintained continuous residence for five years, graduated from high school or obtained a general education diploma, and have good moral character; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors calls on the United States Congress to pass the Dream Act expeditiously.