Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

U.S. SENATOR Jeff Bingaman

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Contact Senator Bingaman's Office:

Jude McCartin
Maria Najera
703 Hart Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5521

Bingaman Joins in Introducing DREAM Act Legislation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today joined in introducing legislation that would provide certain undocumented students a route to citizenship through education and/or military service.  The bill was introduced by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and 29 other Senators.

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, would allow children who were brought illegally to the United States, at the age of 15 or younger, the opportunity to legalize their status if they work hard, stay out of trouble, graduate high school, and eventually go to college or enlist in the Armed Forces.

"I do not believe children should be punished for their parents' actions.  It doesn't make sense to deny children who grew up in our country an opportunity to earn a college degree, join the military and to contribute to our economy as productive members of society," Bingaman said.

In order to be eligible for the DREAM Act individuals must have:

• Come to the U.S. as children (15 or under);
• Be long-term U.S. residents (continuous physical presence for at least five years);
• Have good moral character;
• Graduate from high school or obtain a GED;
• Complete two years of college or military service in good standing.

The DREAM Act is supported by labor, business, education, civil rights and religious groups, including the AFL-CIO, the National PTA, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the CEOs of Fortune 100 companies like Microsoft and Pfizer, and dozens of colleges and universities.