[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 165 (Tuesday, December 14, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2123]
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. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 8, 2010

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the DREAM Act, 
bipartisan legislation that would provide a path to legal status for 
undocumented youth who entered the U.S. as children, graduated from 
U.S. high schools, and attend college or enter the military.
  I would like to thank Speaker Pelosi and Leader Hoyer for bringing 
this important legislation up for a vote on the House floor today. I 
also would like to thank Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who sponsored this bill 
in the House and has worked so hard for its passage.
  Our nation's history is rooted in the strength of immigrants. As New 
Yorkers, my constituents have a special understanding of how America's 
melting pot can create a rich tapestry of ethnic, cultural and 
religious traditions that infuse vitality into the economic and social 
aspects of our communities.
  I strongly believe that by protecting the rights of workers, securing 
the border, and modernizing our pathway to legal immigration, the hope 
that we can fix our broken system will become a reality.
  Under the DREAM Act, qualified students would be eligible for 
conditional immigration status upon high school graduation that would 
then lead, after a period of 10 years and a rigorous process, to 
permanent legal residency if they go to college or serve in the 
military.
  We cannot deny these students the opportunity to pursue education--
especially when the alternative is often working illegally. Despite 
what some opponents of this legislation claim, the DREAM Act would not 
grant special benefits to qualified students. In fact, students may 
only access benefits they work for, or pay for.
  This bill would allow a limited number of hard working students, who 
were brought to this country as children, to be rewarded for their 
success, and in the process, produce thousands of college graduates 
contributing to economic productivity and eligible youth ready to serve 
this nation through military service.
  I am proud to be a cosponsor of this important legislation and urge 
my colleagues to support it.

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