Senate Fails To Pass DREAM Act

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Bill Would Have Promoted Fairness And Equality In Access To Higher Education

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 18, 2010

CONTACT: (202) 306-2703; media@dcaclu.org

WASHINGTON – In a disappointing stand against equality, the U.S. Senate today voted 55-41 against moving forward to a floor vote on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (H.R. 5281). The DREAM Act would have provided affordable post-secondary education and military service opportunities for undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, have lived here for at least five years and have graduated from high school. The House passed the DREAM Act last week. The American Civil Liberties Union supported passage of the DREAM Act, which would have promoted equality and fundamental fairness in access to higher education.

The following can be attributed to Joanne Lin, ACLU Legislative Counsel:

“In failing to pass the DREAM Act, the Senate has missed a critical opportunity to help motivated, bright young people fulfill their goals and aspirations. The American dream for many of these students means pursuing higher education or serving their country in the military. This quintessentially American bill would have helped young people achieve their dreams and pursue a better future for themselves and their families. It’s extremely disappointing, as well as contrary to American values of fairness and equality, that young people will be deprived of opportunities for education, growth and service because the Senate failed to pass this bill.”