State leaders still want dream after US Senate fails

Sens. McCain, McConnell, Kyl & GOP cronies kill dreams.

WASHINGTON -- Today, in addition to failing to address the unwise 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on gays in the military, the US Senate stood against fairness and educational opportunity when it voted against considering the DREAM Act as part of a critical defense appropriations bill.

Seventy percent of American voters already support the DREAM Act, and the bipartisan legislation would put nearly one million undocumented high-school graduates on a path to citizenship after they enroll in college or enlist in the armed services – yet the proposal failed nonetheless.

State Legislators for Progressive Immigration Policy (SLPIP), a rapidly growing and diverse group of state legislators from around the country I am a member of, released the following statement in response to today’s disappointing Senate vote:

"While we are deeply disappointed by the outcome of today's vote in the United States Senate, we remain more committed than ever to ensuring that all students have access to an education and the chance to live out the American dream, and that our nation's economy remains vital by welcoming the economic contributions of talented students regardless of their immigration status. From New York to Wisconsin, from Nebraska to Utah, legislatures in red and blue states alike have been ahead of the curve and passed laws that allow promising undocumented students to afford a college education like their US citizen and legal permanent resident classmates. Leaders in the states have played a vital role to allow all students the opportunity to succeed and are shifting the national debate on immigration – and we will continue to do so in the coming months and years."

- adapted from SLPIP