Senator Harry Reid has announced that he will again bring the DREAM Act up for a vote in the US Senate after Thanksgiving. The Act, authored by Senators Orin Hatch (R-Utah) and Richard Durban (D-IL), provides a pathway to legal status for undocumented youth who entered the U.S. as children, graduated from U.S. high schools, and attend college or enter the military. For all intents and purposes, these children are American. Raised in the United States, they share more in common with their U.S.-born peers then with their parents’ generation. They tend to be bi-cultural and fluent in English. Each year, tens of thousands of this generation of kids graduate from primary or secondary school, often at the top of their classes. Many have the potential to be future scientists, business owners, doctors, nurses and teachers. Yet through no fault of their own, their lack of status may prevent them from attending college, joining the military or working legally. The DREAM Act would provide an opportunity for kids to live up to their full potential and make greater contributions to their Wisconsin communities. To learn more about the DREAM Act go to the DREAM Act Fact Check.
The 2023-25 State Budget Should Support Wisconsin Families Who Are Struggling to Get By
Economic hardship has a long-lasting negative impact on children—affecting their health and wellness over the course of their lives. Ensuring families can meet their basic needs should be a key goal for the 2023-25 state budget.