Senator Mel Martinez Against the DREAM ACT

Perhaps Senator Mel Martinez was burned too badly during the last round of the immigration debate. Or being that he is the chairman of the Republican National Committee - maybe he was told to stay out of it. Either way, he is against the DREAM ACT.


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Martinez balks on new immigrant measure
Posted on Mon, Sep. 17, 2007
Miami Herald


Immigration advocates hope to push a small part of the failed immigration-reform package forward, but they are unlikely to have one of the package's biggest champions in their corner.

Florida Sen. Mel Martinez, who came under withering criticism from the conservative wing of his Republican Party for playing a key role in backing an immigration overhaul, said Friday he was not inclined to support the DREAM Act -- legislation that would help the children of illegal immigrants stay in the United States.

Martinez's office said the senator -- who doubles as general chairman of the Republican National Committee -- does not support ''adding immigration-related amendments'' to the defense bill. That is exactly what DREAM Act sponsor Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., plans to do.

Durbin says the Defense Department has given the legislation a thumbs-up because it would give children of illegal immigrants a shot at residency if they complete two years of college or enlist in the military.

Look for a day of lobbying Wednesday, including a likely protest at Martinez's offices in Miami. Florida's other senator, Democrat Bill Nelson, is a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act.

-- LESLEY CLARK