On the DREAM ACT, by Durbin, Leahy, and Menendez

A few days ago I wrote a post titled "Going to Iraq is Not Amnesty" (October 14, 2007) Durbin addressed the issue of amnesty in the following statement.

This from a press conference held earlier today regarding the DREAM ACT, which will probably come up in the senate tomorrow:

Senator Durbin:

“When I hear some describe this bill as amnesty, I wonder, if someone is willing to risk his or her life to serve in our military in a combat zone, is that a giveaway? If they go to college and become future nurses, future teachers, future doctors, scientists, and engineers, doesn’t that make our country an even richer place?” said Durbin. “We can allow a generation of immigrant students with great potential and ambitions to contribute more fully to our society and national security, or we can relegate them to a future in the shadows, which would be a loss for all Americans. This is the choice the DREAM Act presents to us.”

Senator Leahy:

“When the young people of America have the opportunity to reach their potential, we all win,” said Leahy. “The DREAM Act is designed to create new opportunities for young people, whose achievements in turn strengthen our communities and the nation. This legislation has had bipartisan support since 2001, and we should not hinder this forward-looking effort with politics. I hope Congress this year will choose to invest in our future by supporting the DREAM Act to make higher education and the American Dream a reality for so many of our young people.”

Senator R. Menendez:

“There are men and women who came to this country when they were very young, who worked hard in high school, who are ready to study or wear the uniform of the United States of America—but who see those doors slam shut in their faces because their parents were undocumented. At the end of the day, the DREAM Act is a straight-ahead test of what America is all about. The fundamental question is: Do we punish children for the sins of their parents?”