[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 86 (Monday, June 17, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S4498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           IMMIGRATION REFORM

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, for 16 years, Blanca Gamez thought she was 
an average American girl. But when she turned 16, one by one her 
friends learned to drive. Her parents sat her down and explained an 
important truth she did not know at the time: She could not get her 
driver's license because she is an undocumented immigrant.
  Blanca's parents brought her from Mexico to the United States when 
she was 7 months old. Because they came without proper paperwork, she 
was missing something really important. Blanca's parents told her: 
``You need nine numbers.'' That refers to a Social Security number, 
which she did not have. A Social Security number--those nine numbers--
opens doors to American citizens, which American citizens take for 
granted.
  I had an opportunity to visit with Blanca when I was in Las Vegas 
recently. She is a young woman with everything going for her. She is 
smart, she is driven, and she loves this country with a passion that is 
truly moving. In fact, she does not remember the country she was born 
in, Mexico. She was 7 months old when she came here. To her home means 
Nevada. That is our State song: ``Home Means Nevada.'' And home 
certainly means Nevada to this young woman.
  Unfortunately, without a Social Security number--those nine numbers--
Blanca faced challenges her American-born peers simply did not.
  But all that changed a year ago this week when President Obama signed 
a directive suspending deportation of upstanding young people such as 
Blanca who were brought to this country as children. As a result, she 
now has her nine numbers.
  Almost 300,000 DREAMers--undocumented immigrants who came to this 
country as children--have already taken advantage of this opportunity.
  Thanks to President Obama's courageous action, Blanca and hundreds of 
thousands of upstanding young men and women like her can rest easier 
knowing they are no longer in danger of being deported. They can now 
drive, they can work, and they can get the nine numbers that unlock a 
successful future--I repeat: a Social Security number.
  Blanca's future--and the future of 800,000 young DREAMers--will 
remain uncertain until Congress passes commonsense immigration reform. 
President Obama's directive is only a temporary solution.
  The Republican majority in the House of Representatives has taken aim 
at the DREAMers, voting recently to resume deportation of promising 
young people such as Blanca.
  The directive does not address the 10 million people living in this 
country without the proper documentation who do not qualify for 
deferred action. Many of these individuals are the parents or siblings 
of DREAMers such as Blanca. The bipartisan legislation before the 
Senate is the opportunity they have been waiting for. This bill offers 
a pathway to earned citizenship that begins by going to the back of the 
line, paying penalties and fines, working, paying taxes, staying out of 
trouble, learning English, getting right with the law.
  The measure will be good for national security, it will be great for 
the economy, and it will be good for millions of immigrant families.
  The bill is not perfect, but it takes important steps to reform our 
broken legal immigration system and strengthen border security.
  I know many of my colleagues have ideas about how to improve this 
bill. I hope we will be able to process additional amendments soon so 
we can give these ideas the debate they deserve here in the Senate and, 
after that, of course, the votes they deserve.
  We have five amendments pending. We could vote on four of them right 
away. I also think it would be fair to add the Heller amendment. That 
would mean three Republican amendments and two Democratic amendments.
  My colleagues should be aware, unless we begin voting on amendments 
soon, we will need to work through the weekend in order to finish the 
bill before July 4.
  Recognizing that this is a Nation founded by immigrants, I hope 
Senators will consider every amendment to this bill with compassion. 
Like generations before them, Blanca's parents and millions of other 
undocumented immigrants came here seeking a better life. The famous 
author C.S. Lewis said:

       You are never too old . . . to dream a new dream.

  It is time for Congress to help 11 million dreamers--young and old--
get right with the law and unlock their potential.

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