Compromise is imperfect, but colleges and universities have to be happy with the immigration bill as it stands.
Whatever the Gang of Eight hammered out in the Senate is still likely to undergo some changes as it goes through the lawmaking process.
But if it stays intact, it’s because conservatives knew it was time to give in on the DREAM Act, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act.
Hard to believe it was actually first proposed in 2001, but it’s taken 13 years for the politics to finally work in the favor of dreamers and their supporters.
However, it’s such a bargaining chip, it’s probably working to the detriment of giving leeway to advocates of various other immigration provisions.
As part of the bill, the dream eligible—those who arrived as minors and completed either two years in the military or two years at a four-year institution—could qualify for legalization—e.g., citizenship—in just five years. What’s more, older dreamers, 30 and older, are now eligible.
A five-year path to citizenship? That’s so much better than the main provision for others here illegally. The path to citizenship could mean as many as 13 to 15 years.
