After the Senate failed to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in June, and contrary to predictions that the immigration reform issue would not be resuscitated until after the 2008 presidential elections, we are seeing Congress people introduce immigration reform provisions in unrelated bills. First, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act) may be close to becoming law this year as part of the Department of Defense authorization bill. Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) introduced the DREAM Act as an amendment to H.R. 1585, the Department of Defense authorization bill, today. The amendment will need 60 votes to pass. Then, the Department of Defense authorization bill will be called for a vote with the DREAM Act included.

While the hot button issue remains the question of what to do with undocumented immigrant workers, some Congress people have begun to introduce measures to reform immigration laws or remedy current immigration shortages.

If passed, the DREAM Act would provide undocumented students with a six-year path to permanent residence and eventual U.S. citizenship. Those who qualify would have to demonstrate they were brought to the U.S. by their parents as children, have been living in the U.S. for at least five years, have graduated from U.S. high schools, and have the intention to either continue on to college or to enter the military.

To support the DREAM Act, call both of your Senators and tell them that you support this Durbin-Hagel-Lugar Amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization bill. Your Senator’s phone numbers are available online at:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Or, to send an e-mail message to your Senators go to:

http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/NILC/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=12129

While the hot button issue remains the question of what to do with undocumented immigrant workers, some Congress people have begun to introduce measures to reform immigration laws or remedy current immigration shortages. For example, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) continues to support the AgJobs bill, a new work visa program (“blue card”) for agricultural workers that would also permit them to apply for legal permanent residency after five years if they meet certain eligibility requirements. At the same time, some Republican Senators are discussing a short-term guest worker program for low-skilled laborers as well as increasing the cap of visas for high-skilled foreign workers. In the House of Representatives Republican representatives have continued to maintain the focus, and debate, on enforcement measures. For example, Republicans in the House introduced a federal housing measure that would prohibit undocumented immigrants from receiving federal benefits. That measure is scheduled for debate in the House this week.