WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a longtime advocate for fair and humane comprehensive immigration reform, commends the U.S. House's passage tonight of the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), which offers undocumented young people "conditional permanent residency" if they arrived in this country before they were 16 and attend college or serve in the military. Upon graduation or completion of their enlistment, they would receive permanent legal residency with an opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship. In addition to the DREAM Act, the Task Force is working in coalition with immigrant rights groups toward passage of comprehensive immigration reform and the Uniting American Families Act.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"Many people like to say that youth are our future. We are now a step closer to ensuring brighter and more secure futures for our young people, including countless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth, by providing them a path to citizenship. The United States is built on the belief that everyone get a fair shake to fully participate in civic life, and to be able to build a future in the country they love and call home. Passage of the DREAM Act does justice to this fundamental and humane principle. Tonight's House passage is an important first step toward fixing this nation's broken immigration system, but much remains to be done. We urge the Senate to pass the DREAM Act, and continue to call on federal lawmakers and the Obama administration to work toward fair and comprehensive immigration reform."
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org
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