May, 2011 - Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest

May 13, 2011 - This week, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and 32 cosponsors introduced the DREAM Act, legislation that, if passed, would provide undocumented youth who were brought to the U.S. as children a path to citizenship if they attend college for two years or serve in the military.  

Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives. This legislation, which has been introduced in every congressional session since 2001, has received widespread support from the business, labor, education, and faith sectors, and enjoys high public approval ratings.  

This bill cannot come quickly enough for the young men and women - and children - whom it affects.  Every day, talented young people are deported away from the only country they know as home. 

Help build momentum for the DREAM Act! Urge you senators and representative to co-sponsor the bill.

What can you do to help? 
Make 3 quick calls today or over the weekend. 
Pick up the phone!

Call your Senators and your Congressman. Ask your friends and family to do so, too. You can leave a message if it's this evening or over the weekend. 

What do I say? 
Tell them: "Hi, my name is ________ and I live at [address]. I'm calling to ask ________ to co-sponsor the DREAM Act. This is a bill that helps our country's future, youth, and economy." 

Who do I call?
Both senators and your representative.
* Click here to look up contact information for your senator.
* Click here to look up contact informaiton for your congresspeople.

More information:
* The DREAM Act would allow our country to prosper from the contributions made by promising and hardworking immigrant youth.  These youth were brought to the U.S. at a young age, but are not able to fully contribute to American society because of their immigration status.  Many did not even know about their status until they applied for college and were surprised to find that they are undocumented in the only country that they consider home.
* Read the one pager from Senator Durbin's office here.
* The DREAM Act would allow undocumented youth who were brought to the US before they turned 16 years old to apply for legal status if they meet certain criteria (good moral character, have been in the US for more than 5 years, are under 35 years old, attend 2 years of college or serve in the military). 

Your calls make a difference. We need everyone's voice to pass the DREAM Act.