CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS (CHC) VOWS TO CONTINUE FIGHT FOR DREAM ACT, COMPREHENSIVE REFORM

(Washington, DC) – Today, by a 56 to 43 vote, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the National Defense Authorization Act, blocking consideration of the DREAM Act. Despite this setback, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus remains committed to moving immigration reform legislation forward.

“The DREAM Act is a critical measure for thousands of talented young people who love this country and wish to stay here,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. “We must redouble our efforts and see that this bill, along with Comprehensive Immigration Reform, is enacted in to law.”

Last week, Senator Reid announced his intentions of offering the DREAM Act as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. This bipartisan bill would normalize status for young undocumented immigrant students who arrived in the US at a young age.

“Military readiness experts, leaders of higher education institutions, and immigrant families across the country are pulling for the DREAM Act,” said Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Chairman of the CHC’s Immigration Task Force. “Passing this measure will be an important step in reforming our nation’s immigration laws and we cannot afford to give up the fight now.”

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