[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 91 (Friday, June 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1048]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  SUPPORT FOR H.R. 1842, THE DREAM ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 15, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
1842, The DREAM Act. I call up the House Republican leadership to bring 
this important legislation, which reflects fundamental American values 
of opportunity, responsibility, and community to the floor. The DREAM 
Act provides an opportunity for certain young men and women who 
demonstrate the responsible behavior necessary to earn the chance to 
become a naturalized citizen.
  The DREAM Act recognizes that there are a limited number of young 
people who, through no fault of their own, have been living in the 
United States illegally since childhood. For the vast majority of these 
young men and women, the United States is the only country they have 
ever known and is the one to which they have always pledged allegiance.
  By providing those who have demonstrated good moral character the 
ability to integrate fully into American society through military 
service or a college education, The DREAM Act rewards responsible and 
productive behavior while at the same time invests in the future 
prosperity of our great Nation.
  Passing The DREAM Act makes our country stronger, fairer, more just. 
And it will also make our Nation more prosperous in the long term by 
providing incentives and opportunities for higher education for 
thousands of students who each year are unable to attend college 
because of their immigration status.
  The Congressional Budget Office estimates that The DREAM Act will 
reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over the next 10 years through 
increased tax revenue. Similarly, a study conducted by UCLA also 
estimates that DREAM Act beneficiaries have the potential to generate 
from $1.4 trillion to $3.6 trillion in income throughout their working 
lives.
  Each year, approximately 65,000 students graduate high school without 
the possibility of continuing their education due to their immigration 
status and less than 10 percent of these students will go on to pursue 
college. Not only do these talented, law-abiding young individuals lose 
out on their extraordinary potential, but as a Nation we also run the 
risk of losing out on a tremendous amount of economic growth.
  Mr. Speaker, The DREAM Act gives these students the opportunity to 
continue their academic pursuits, be officially recognized by the 
country in which they have spent most of their lives, and realize 
everything the American Dream has to offer. Young, undocumented 
immigrants who have just graduated from high school deserve the 
opportunity to follow their dreams and should not have a ceiling placed 
on their future because of decisions made by others and circumstances 
entirely beyond their control.
  During my visits to schools in my district, one of the most 
ethnically diverse in the Nation, I have had the opportunity to meet 
many students who will benefit greatly from the passage of this 
legislation. These students have grown up attending schools in the 
United States and are intimately woven into our Nation's fabric. It is 
time that we recognize these students' achievements and allow them to 
step out of the shadow that prevents them from pursuing their dreams.
  The Washington Post recently published an article on a young woman 
named Heydi Mejia, whose story exemplifies the type of situation we can 
hope to avoid by passing The DREAM Act. Young Heydi has lived in 
America from the age of 4, graduated in the top 10 percent of her class 
and had plans to attend college to become a nurse and return to serve 
her community. Her life was turned upside down when nine immigration 
officials showed up at her house this past December ordering her back 
to Guatemala, a country she barely knows, and to which she never 
pledged allegiance.
  I was delighted to hear yesterday that Heydi and her mother have been 
granted a 1-year reprieve from deportation by the DHS, but this 
situation should not have arisen in the first place. It should not take 
a front page article in The Washington Post to keep a hardworking and 
successful young woman from being deported.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to support The DREAM 
Act. We are a nation of immigrants, built on the backs of those who 
risked everything for the dream of a country that accepts all those who 
are willing to work hard and make something of themselves. I believe 
America is still that country, and it is our fundamental duty to 
provide a better life to those willing to work for it.

                          ____________________