Since the late nineteenth century, illegal immigration has been a pressing issue for the United States of America. However, there has been a rising concern over what to do with a different undocumented generation, the children of the illegal immigrants, who have grown up in American society and education. In order to solve this problem, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act was introduced by Senators Orrin Hatch and Richard Durbin in 2001. This legislation specifically targeted the individuals who entered the U.S. illegally as children and granted legal status to those who met a stringent list of requirements and went through a lengthy process (Miranda). After being placed on conditional status for six years, they would
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The first versions of the DREAM Act in 2001, 2007, and 2009 had received little attention from Congress and had failed to pass legislation because some opponents believed it had many loopholes in the legislation and was thought to be an amnesty bill that could encourage more illegal immigrants to enter the U.S.On December 8, 2010, the Senate was unable to advance the bill on a 55 to 51 vote despite major amendments to the DREAM Act. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stressed to bill supporters saying, “You’re wasting your time. We’re not going to pass the Dream Act, or any legalization program, until we secure our borders” (Bendavid). An emphasis on border security over legalization of illegal immigrants, the push for a bigger comprehensive immigration reform, and the Democrats accused of pushing the DREAM Act for Hispanic political support were some arguments made by Senate members opposing the bill. In a statement after the vote on December 2010, President Obama, who endorsed this bill, expressed disappointment saying, “There was simply no reason not to pass this important legislation” …show more content…
Although there may have been other facts that played a part into the DREAM Act’s failure, the strong opposition from interest groups who wanted to maintain their business interests played a critical role in Congress, Along with the lobbyists, the inadequate support from both parties during the 111th session in Congress and the public’s attitude that resulted from the current events like in Arizona and from history like the 9/11 terrorist attack caused the downfall of the DREAM Act. Despite the its intentions to improve America economically and militarily by granting“only the best and brightest young people” their legal status, the policy failed to receive the support it needed to pass in Congress
The first versions of the DREAM Act in 2001, 2007, and 2009 had received little attention from Congress and had failed to pass legislation because some opponents believed it had many loopholes in the legislation and was thought to be an amnesty bill that could encourage more illegal immigrants to enter the U.S.On December 8, 2010, the Senate was unable to advance the bill on a 55 to 51 vote despite major amendments to the DREAM Act. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stressed to bill supporters saying, “You’re wasting your time. We’re not going to pass the Dream Act, or any legalization program, until we secure our borders” (Bendavid). An emphasis on border security over legalization of illegal immigrants, the push for a bigger comprehensive immigration reform, and the Democrats accused of pushing the DREAM Act for Hispanic political support were some arguments made by Senate members opposing the bill. In a statement after the vote on December 2010, President Obama, who endorsed this bill, expressed disappointment saying, “There was simply no reason not to pass this important legislation” …show more content…
Although there may have been other facts that played a part into the DREAM Act’s failure, the strong opposition from interest groups who wanted to maintain their business interests played a critical role in Congress, Along with the lobbyists, the inadequate support from both parties during the 111th session in Congress and the public’s attitude that resulted from the current events like in Arizona and from history like the 9/11 terrorist attack caused the downfall of the DREAM Act. Despite the its intentions to improve America economically and militarily by granting“only the best and brightest young people” their legal status, the policy failed to receive the support it needed to pass in Congress