The DREAM Amendment is expected to be offered by Sen. Richard Durbin (D) this week. DREAM would allow thousands of undocumented aliens who: (1) entered the US before the age of 16, (2) lived in the country for at least five years, and (3) graduated from High School to legalize their status. Over the next two years, the applicants would have to spend at least two years in college or in the US military to be eligible for a green card.
Most of these young adults came to the US with their parents and had no choice in the matter. The amendment is expected to pass the Senate. Beyond that, let’s hope the DREAM doesn’t become a nightmare for those who came here through no fault of their own at a young age, made it through High School, are willing to attend college or join the military and in many cases, know no other country than the US.
Please call you Senators and urge them to support the DREAM amendment.
Will that help “documented” aliens who meet those requirement to get their Green Card?
No, the DREAM amendment would only help the undocumented aliens who meet the criteria to legalize their status.
Undocumented aliens who have lived in the United States at least five years and were under 16 at the time of entry, graduated from high school, and can demonstrate good moral character can apply for conditional legal status. They would be allowed to remain in the country for six years under that status. The aliens can convert their conditional status to permanent residency by graduating from a two-year college, studying at least two years toward a bachelor’s degree or serving in the U.S. military at least two years.
In other words, the DREAM amendment would first allow these individuals to become “documented” for a period of six years prior to applying for a green card. It does not grant instant permanent residence.