[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 162 (Thursday, December 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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

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                               speech of

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the passage of the DREAM 
Act by the House of Representatives on December 8, 2010. I am a 
longtime supporter of the bill, and I am thankful that we finally have 
the opportunity to move forward with this significant and life- 
changing legislation. With the passage of the DREAM Act, an estimated 
800,000 young people that have been kept in the shadows and overlooked 
by this country would be given what they never had before: a chance.
  Currently, there are young people in this country who know no other 
home, yet they do not have access to the opportunities that make this 
country strong. They are unable to resolve their immigration status and 
therefore can offer little to the country that they love. The DREAM Act 
would make it possible for those brought to this country as young 
children who have grown up in the United States to contribute to the 
United States and achieve their full potential.
  This bill is carefully constructed to target only those people most 
deserving of this opportunity. To earn conditional immigration status, 
these young people must demonstrate that they have graduated high 
school, obtained a GED, or been accepted to an institution of higher 
learning. They must also have arrived in the United States before they 
were 16, have lived in the United States for at least five years before 
the bill's enactment, and be under 29 years of age. After a minimum of 
thirteen years and if additional requirements are met, those eligible 
can apply for U.S. citizenship.
  The contributions of these young people would benefit our country and 
our economy, and I would like to thank my colleagues who supported this 
extraordinary legislation. This bill would allow young people 
throughout the country to pursue the kind of futures that they deserve. 
It would also allow our country to take advantage of the talents that 
these bright young people have to offer.
  The enactment of the DREAM Act would give young people the chance to 
better themselves and in turn would make this country a better place.

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