Senator Durbin | DreamActivist.Org

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A year ago today. . . October 24, 2007

Mr. President, what are we talking about here? We’re talking about children. Since when, in America, do we visit the sins and crimes of parents on children? If a parent commits a crime does that mean that the child goes to prison? If a parent disqualifies himself or herself from American citizenship, does that mean the child can never have a chance? Is that what America has come to?

Amidst the confusion and distortion and vitriol of this debate on immigration, since children like Marie Gonzales. She was brought to this country from Costa Rica by her parents at the age of ten. Her parents have been deported as illegals. Because I have made a special request she has been allowed to continue to finish her college education at Westminster College in Missouri. Her goal is to be an American and to give to the only country she has ever known. Costa Rica is not her country, America’s her country.

What we are talking about is turning these children out. Children with no country. And what sin, what crime did they commit? They obeyed their parents. They followed their parents. And for some that is going to be a mark of Cain on their heads forever in America. Is that what we’re all about?

Give these kids a chance. Meet them. Take the time to see these children. Many of us have. And what you’ll see in their eyes is the same kind of hope for this country that we want to see in our own children’s eyes. To be doctors and nurses and teachers, engineers, to find cures for diseases, to start businesses, the things that make America grow.

Give these kids a chance. Don’t take your anger out on illegal immigration on children who have nothing to say about this. They were brought to this country. They’ve lived a good life. They’ve proven themselves. They’ve beaten the odds. We need them.

And then they’ll turn around and tell me tomorrow that you need H1B visas to bring in talented people to America because we don’t have enough. Don’t tell me you need H2B and H2A and all the rest of them. No, if you’re going to turn away these children. If you’re going to say, “America doesn’t need you, go about your business, find someplace in the world.” Don’t come back to me and tell me we need a bigger labor pool and more talent in America.

How can we say no to hope? How can we say no to these kids when all they want is a piece of the American Dream? Please vote to proceed to the DREAM Act. I will work with Senator Hutchinson, a bipartisan amendment, we’ll do our best and I think we can come up with something. Give these kids a chance.

Thank you Senator Durbin!

DREAMers across America

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

News Article, Senator Durbin | No Comments

LA Times - Still No Give on Immigration Issue

Los Angeles Times
October 25, 2007 Thursday
Home Edition
The Nation;
Still no give on immigration issue;
Bill offering citizenship for the young can’t muster enough votes.

BYLINE: Nicole Gaouette, Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writers

SECTION: MAIN NEWS; National Desk; Part A; Pg. 1

LENGTH: 1201 words

DATELINE: WASHINGTON

The Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill offering the children of illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they serve in the military or complete two years of higher education. The defeat of the measure, which had attracted bipartisan support, underscored the difficulty of enacting even a narrowly tailored proposal in the polarizing atmosphere surrounding immigration reform.

The vote on the proposal was 52 to 44, short of the 60-vote margin needed to prevent a filibuster and begin debate. It was one small piece of a comprehensive immigration bill that collapsed in the Senate earlier this year, and it sparked a brief but heated debate.

Opponents called the bill a form of amnesty and argued that it would create incentives for illegal immigrants to cross the border with their children. But Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), who supported the measure, said that “to turn on these children and treat them as criminals is an indication of the level of emotion and, in some cases, bigotry and hatred that is involved in this debate.”

His remarks were directed at Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Colo.), who on Tuesday suggested that immigrants who had attended a meeting in Durbin’s office were illegal and should have been arrested.

Tancredo, a presidential candidate who has staked his campaign on tough immigration enforcement, dismissed Durbin’s understanding of the issue: “I don’t expect Dick Durbin to be able to tell the difference between legal residents and illegal aliens.”

The debate on Capitol Hill suggested that the public outrage kicked up last summer when the Senate considered comprehensive immigration reform was still driving the political agenda.

Proponents of the Dream Act — the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act — had hoped it would be one of several less-ambitious changes to the nation’s immigration law to pass this year.

But Wednesday’s defeat signaled that any further attempts to help illegal immigrants might have to be balanced with action to increase border security or enforcement.

“All of America’s awake on this one,” said Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), suggesting amnesty was the end game of the measure that failed Wednesday. “They know exactly what we’re doing.”

The environment has become so poisonous that Durbin, in a news conference after the vote, thanked not only the Republicans who joined his effort but also the Democrats who he said “stood by me on this.”

He noted that some Democrats voted for the bill “with pain in their eyes,” knowing that their action would provoke anger from voters.

The Dream Act would give conditional legal status to illegal immigrants who have lived in the United States at least five years and entered the country before age 16. They must graduate from high school, have no criminal record and have a “good moral character.”

If these immigrants serve in the military or complete two years of higher education, the conditional status would be lifted. After five years, they could apply for citizenship.

Estimates vary as to the number of young illegal immigrants the bill would affect. The Congressional Budget Office has put it at fewer than 100,000, while the nonpartisan Migration Policy Institute has estimated it at closer to 500,000.

Some proponents tried to cast the vote in a positive light. They noted that the four absent senators, including Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), had all vowed to support the measure, meaning it was closer to the needed 60 votes.

And, they said, the 2008 elections might send a message to vocal opponents that opposing immigration reform is not the winning issue they think it is.

“We’re going through a period of time when there is a sense of panic among politicians,” said Josh Bernstein, federal policy director for the Los Angeles-based National Immigration Law Center. “When the election comes, politicians will be surprised. Immigration was supposed to be the savior of Republicans in the last election, but that didn’t happen. I don’t think it will happen again.”

Some signs of bipartisanship were evident Wednesday. Twelve Republicans defied their party by voting to begin debate. And Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) announced that she and Durbin were working on an approach that might attract more GOP support — requiring, in addition to military service or attendance in college, a longer wait for citizenship.

But the White House played hardball on the issue, releasing a statement outlining its objections. “The administration is sympathetic to the position of young people who were brought here illegally as children and have come to know the United States as home,” said a statement from the White House Office of Management and Budget. “Any resolution of their status, however, must be careful not to provide incentives for recurrence of the illegal conduct that has brought the nation to this point.”

Democrats argued that there was a moral imperative to pass the bill, saying that skilled graduates would benefit American business and that the young people who enlisted would provide a much-needed boost to a military struggling to meet recruitment goals.

“Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “Many of the children this bill addresses came here when they were very young. Many don’t even remember their home countries or speak the language of their home countries. They are just as loyal and devoted to our country as any American.”

Republicans objected to the timing of the debate as well as the bill’s substance. Some complained that the Senate still had overdue spending bills to pass.

“We’ve yet to send a single appropriations bill,” said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), pointing out that none of the 12 annual bills had made it to the president’s desk.

He said that the Internet tax moratorium expired in “exactly one week,” and that 50 million taxpayers could become ensnared in a confusing and costly tangle if Congress did not address the alternative minimum tax. “We have an enormous amount of work, and we’re running out of time,” he said.

Others, like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), said the immigration bill was flawed, complaining that its beneficiaries would not be required to earn a college degree.

Some who had been supportive of the measure when Durbin brought it up on previous occasions were unenthusiastic. “Even though there’s merit in the goal of the Dream Act, I feel this should be part of a comprehensive approach,” said Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).

Durbin countered that those affected by the bill would have very limited ability to sponsor family members to come to the U.S. and would not qualify for in-state tuition or federal aid.

And he implored the Senate not to ignore the talents and patriotism of children whose only crime was to pack their suitcases when their parents told them to.

“Don’t turn around and tell me tomorrow you need H-1B immigration visas to bring in talented people to America because we don’t have enough,” Durbin said. “Don’t take your anger on illegal immigration out on children who have nothing to say about this. They were brought to this country. . . . They’ve beaten the odds. We need them.”

–

nicole.gaouette@latimes.com

johanna.neuman@latimes.com

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

Congress, Legislation News, Senator Durbin, Senator Harry Reid | No Comments

Daily News - Shameless Prez Wanna-Be Tries to Rob Kids of DREAM

Daily News (New York)
October 25, 2007 Thursday
SPORTS FINAL EDITION
SHAMELESS PREZ WANNA-BE TRIES TO ROB KIDS OF DREAM

BYLINE: BY ALBOR RUIZ

SECTION: SUBURBAN; Pg. 4

LENGTH: 576 words

TOM TANCREDO wants to be your President.

No, wait, don’t laugh - the man is serious. There is no reason for alarm, though. The Republican senator from Colorado has as much chance of getting to the White House as hell has of freezing over.

Tancredo’s name is associated with the most rabid immigration reform enemies in the country, and their shameful theatrics and hysteria. And nothing else. He has no other claim to fame.

On Tuesday, the good senator, who has said that Americans who favor rational immigration reform are “leftist activists” who endanger national security, outdid even himself when he called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to detain three college students.

The students - two from Germany and one from Costa Rica - have lived in the U.S. for more than 10 years, and were participating in an afternoon news conference on Capitol Hill held by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) about the Dream Act.

Durbin is the main sponsor of the act, which was defeated in the Senate yesterday. Despite a majority of senators voting in favor - among them New York’s Hillary Clinton and Chuck Schumer - the bill was eight votes short of the 60 needed for approval.

The Dream Act is a smart and humane bill that addresses the tragedy of young people who, brought to the U.S. by their parents, grew up in this country. Except for not having papers, they are as American as any other kid their age. Yet their futures are uncertain.

If the Dream Act is ever enacted - a doubtful proposition, to say the least - it would allow these undocumented students to apply for legal status as long as they are attending college. It would give them the same opportunity if they join the Army.

Yet Tancredo, himself the grandchild of Italian immigrants, is a tough guy who is all for persecution and repression. And he contacted the immigration authorities to demand a raid of Durbin’s office.

Not surprisingly, Durbin was not pleased.

“Congressman, have you no shame?” he asked Tancredo in a written statement, comparing him to the infamous Sen. Joseph McCarthy and his anti-Communist witch hunts of the 1950s.

It is a sad spectacle to watch Republican presidential contenders tripping over each other to show voters who is the fastest gun in the West when it comes to illegal immigration. It is sad not only because it shows the worst kind of opportunism, but because there is nothing “tough” or “brave” about persecuting the undocumented - who, after all is said and done, are the most vulnerable and powerless segment of society.

Calling Tancredo’s action “absolutely stunning,” Durbin asked another important question: “What does it say about America that a member of Congress would call on these young people to be arrested? I don’t think they should be arrested. They should be given a chance.”

They certainly should. Not doing so would send them into a life in the shadows, but more importantly, it would be our loss as a society.

There are 65,000 undocumented children who graduate every year from high school but have no opportunity of working legally or getting financial aid for college.

The Dream Act would give them the opportunity to meet their potential and to fully contribute to our society. This, of course, is not only good for them, but good for America.

The country needs solutions, not prejudices and dehumanizing of immigrants.

Let’s be thankful that Tom Tancredo has as much chance of getting to the White House as hell has of freezing over. aruiz@nydailynews.com

Thursday, October 25th, 2007

Legislation News, Opinion Piece, Senator Durbin | No Comments

“Give these Kids a Chance” - Durbin on the DREAM Act

Richard Durbin at the Senate Committee hearing on the DREAM Act -

“Give these kids a chance,” Durbin said. “Don’t take your anger out on illegal immigration on children who have nothing to say about this.”

Wednesday, October 24th, 2007

Congress, Senator Durbin, Videos | 1 Comment

The Washington Times - Student Illegals Bill Dropped

The Washington Times
September 27, 2007 Thursday
Student illegals bill dropped;
GOP refuses mix with defense

BYLINE: By Stephen Dinan, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

SECTION: NATION; A11

LENGTH: 384 words

Senate Democrats yesterday retreated from forcing a debate about giving illegal-alien students a path to citizenship in the middle of the defense bill, although Majority Leader Harry Reid promised to find time before the end of the year for a vote on the proposal.

“We will move to proceed to this matter before we leave here. I’m going to do my utmost to do it by November 16,” Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said last night.

The proposal faced strong opposition from Republicans who objected to mixing immigration with the defense bill and who vowed to filibuster to defeat the measure if Democrats insisted on bringing it up now.

Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Republican, told The Washington Times last week that enough Republicans were opposed to mixing the two debates that they could block the amendment. Late yesterday, Republicans moved to cut off debate on the defense bill, leaving Democrats with practically no options for inserting their proposal, known as the Dream Act.

The bill would have applied to illegal aliens who were brought to the United States before age 16, have been in the country at least five years and have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalency degree. They are granted legal status and have six years to complete two years of college or serve in the military.

Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat, tried to win extra support by altering the bill to cap eligibility to those younger than 30 and by eliminating a mandate that states offer in-state tuition to those who qualified for legal status.

“If you meet these people, you’ll come to understand the potential that they bring to America’s future,” he said.

He said it is unfair to punish children for their parents’ illegal actions - a stance many Republicans share.

The Dream Act has become the top priority for Hispanic and pro-immigration groups and has become the top target for defeat for those who wish to crack down on illegals. The delay gives both sides a chance to rally support.

Decoupling the measure from the defense bill gives it a better chance of passage, but it also means another contentious issue for Mr. Reid to schedule before Congress adjourns for the year. Another immigration-related proposal - to legalize illegal-alien agriculture workers - is also expected to come up for debate.

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

Congress, Legislation News, Senator Durbin, Senator Harry Reid | No Comments

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