[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 162 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DEVELOPMENT, RELIEF, AND EDUCATION FOR ALIEN MINORS ACT OF 2010

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, over the past several months I have thought 
quite a bit about what I would do if the DREAM Act came to the floor 
for a vote. I have studied the legislation and how it affects our 
current immigration laws. I have looked into how the DREAM Act would 
affect things like student loans, grants and other Federal subsidies. I 
have spoken with constituents, both for and against, about the 
legislation. I have considered the affect of the DREAM Act being signed 
into law on the prospect of comprehensive immigration reform--I asked, 
most importantly, does this simply allow us kick the can on that matter 
down the road for yet a few more years?
  Today, Madam Speaker, I rise in favor of the legislation. As I 
mentioned, it has taken me some time to come to this conclusion, as I 
am tired of throwing patches at the immigration problem. Ultimately, we 
need a comprehensive immigration reform bill, and Madam Speaker, we 
need it desperately. However, I cannot in good conscience hold hostage 
young people who were brought to this country by their parents to a 
comprehensive reform bill. The DREAM Act is a small patch for a problem 
that has eluded our Nation for decades. Our country needs comprehensive 
reform, not piecemeal fixes.
  All of this said, the DREAM Act will provide opportunity and hope to 
young immigrants brought to this country by their parents who, through 
no fault of their own, cannot be a meaningful part of our society 
without this Act. Most of these individuals speak English as well or 
better than their native tongue and they consider the United States 
their home, but they cannot realize their dreams because of their 
immigration status.
  The DREAM Act is no ``get-out-of-jail-free card,'' however. For 
individuals who meet minimum qualifications, such as being in the 
United States for 5 years before enactment and under 16 years old 
before coming here, the DREAM Act requires that its beneficiaries 
participate in one of the two most enduring institutions of American 
society: military service or higher education. In addition, DREAM Act 
beneficiaries must be in a conditional immigration status for a decade 
before becoming legal permanent residents. In so doing, the DREAM Act 
only gives legal status to those who really want to be here and at the 
same time creates new horizons for an untapped and eager group of young 
people to contribute to the country's long-term well-being. Indeed, 
improving our military readiness, increasing the number of college-
educated workers, and expanding the Federal, State, and local tax base 
are among the bill's virtues. And the DREAM Act will not allow a 
``chain migration'' as some opponents of the law have been saying. In 
fact, only after a DREAM Act beneficiary waits the full 13 years it 
would take to become a U.S. citizen are they able to petition for 
immediate family to gain legal status in the United States. Immediate 
family would have to wait in family immigration lines before being able 
to immigrate. And family members already here illegally face additional 
barriers under current law that will continue to make it difficult to 
obtain legal status. That is not a ``get-out-of-jail-free card.''
  As I stated earlier, I do not vote for this bill without 
reservations. The DREAM Act is just a temporary fix to a serious 
problem. It is my sincere hope that within the year period required by 
the bill for individuals to apply, we will be able to consider, in a 
bipartisan manner, a comprehensive bill that will fix our broken 
system.

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