The document discusses the DREAM Act, which would provide conditional legal status to undocumented youth who arrived in the US as minors, attend school, or serve in the military. It outlines the DREAM Act's criteria, addresses concerns that it would displace native-born students, and explains the benefits of allowing undocumented students to contribute more fully to society through education and legal employment.

1. D EVELOPMENT
R ELIEF and
E DUCATION of
A LIEN
M INORS

2. DREAM Act Criteria
 Would extend a six-year conditional legal residency
status to undocumented youth who meet several
criteria, including:
– Entry into the United States before age 16
– Continuous presence in the United States for
five years prior to the bill’s enactment
– Receipt of a high school diploma or its
equivalent (GED), or admission into an
institution of higher education
– Must be between the ages of 12 and 35
at the time of application
– Demonstrated good moral character

3. DREAM Act Concerns
 Undocumented students would be taking seats and
financial aid away from native-born students
– 10 states have already passed laws allowing undocumented
students to qualify for in-state tuition: California, Illinois,
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma,
Texas, Utah, and Washington
None of these states, which are home to
about half the nation’s undocumented
immigrants, have experienced a large influx
of enrollment in higher education
Native-born students have not been
displaced by undocumented students
Educational systems in these states have not
reported the undocumented students to be a
financial drain

4. DREAM Act Benefits
Qualifying youth would be authorized to:
Work legally in the United States
Go to school
Join the military

5. DREAM Act Benefits
During the six-year conditional status, the beneficiary
would be able to transition to permanent legal resident
status, and consequently be able to apply for US
citizenship, if:
–they graduate from a two-year college
–complete two years of a four-year degree
–or serve at least two years in the US military
No longer forced to work in the cash economy as
–domestic workers
–day laborers
–ambulatory vendors
–sweatshop factory workers
Undocumented students in higher education
Better jobs
Increase tax revenues from higher salaries
= future competitiveness as a nation