DREAM Act facts for kids
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| Colloquial name(s) | DREAM Act |
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| Introduced on | April 25, 2001 |
| Sponsored by | Dick Durbin, Orrin Hatch |
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The DREAM Act is a proposed law in the United States. Its full name is the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act. This law would offer a path for young people who came to the U.S. without legal permission when they were children.
If the law passed, these young people could get temporary legal status. This would allow them to live and work in the U.S. If they meet more requirements later, they could then get permanent legal status. The DREAM Act was first suggested in April 2001 by Senators Dick Durbin and Orrin Hatch. It has been brought up many times since then, but it has not yet become a law.
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Who Can Qualify for the DREAM Act?
To qualify for the DREAM Act, young people would need to meet several requirements. These rules help make sure the program is fair and helps those it's meant for.
Here are the main things someone would need to do:
- They must have arrived in the United States before they turned 16 years old.
- They need to show they have lived in the U.S. for at least five years in a row.
- They must have graduated from an American high school or earned a GED. A GED is a certificate that shows you have high school-level knowledge.
- They should be between 12 and 35 years old when the law starts.
- They must show they are a person of good moral character. This means they follow the law and are honest.
- If they are a male born in 1960 or later, they must have registered with the Selective Service System. This is a system where most male U.S. citizens and immigrants register for potential military service.
- They must pass criminal background checks.
First Steps: Conditional Status
If someone meets the first set of requirements, they would get "conditional" legal status. This status would last for six years. During this time, they would need to take more steps to keep their legal status.
They would need to do one of these three things:
- Graduate from a two-year community college.
- Complete at least two years of study towards a four-year college degree.
- Serve for two years in the U.S. military.
During these six years, they would not be able to get federal money for college like Pell grants. Pell grants are money for college that you don't have to pay back. However, they would be able to apply for student loans and work-study programs.
Next Steps: Permanent Status
After the six-year conditional period, if they have met one of the three conditions above, they can apply for permanent legal status. This is a big step towards becoming a U.S. citizen.
To get permanent status, they would also need to:
- Pass another series of background checks.
- Continue to show they have good moral character.
- If they served in the military, they must have received an honorable discharge. This means they left the military with a good record.
If someone does not meet these requirements after the six years, they could lose their legal status. This means they might be at risk of being sent out of the country.
The DREAMers Movement
The DREAMers movement started when the DREAM Act was being discussed in Congress. This group is mostly made up of young people who came to the U.S. without legal permission when they were children. They are often called "DREAMers."
The DREAMers movement works on issues related to immigration, education, and citizenship. They have taken part in many activities to show their support for the DREAM Act. For example, on May 1, 2006, many students protested to share their concerns. On June 5, 2012, DREAMers participated in peaceful protests. These included picket lines, sit-ins, and hunger strikes.
The movement has also influenced other government decisions. One important example is DACA, which stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA is a program that allows certain young people who came to the U.S. as children to apply for temporary protection from being sent out of the country. It also allows them to get work permits for two years, which can be renewed. This program was created by the government's executive branch in 2012.
See also
- Illegal immigration to the United States
- Immigration policy
- Plyler v. Doe
- Trail of Dreams 2010
- New York Dream Act
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
