(Washington,
D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray spoke on the Senate floor about the
importance of the DREAM Act, which would help make sure that young people
across the country have access to the American Dream. Senate Republicans
blocked debate on the DREAM Act when they refused to allow the underlying bill
to advance on the floor. During her speech, Senator Murray told stories of
Washington state students whose undocumented status prevent them from accessing
college or joining the military.
“The
amendment we proposed would have allowed us to take a first step towards fixing
an immigration system that is clearly broken with real solutions that will help
real people,”
Senator Murray said in her speech today. “And for me,
this isn’t just about immigration—it’s about what type of country we want to
be. America has long been a beacon of hope for people across the world. And I
believe that to keep that beacon bright we need to make sure young people like
Carlos and Judith are given a shot at the American Dream. The dream that
was there for me, that is there for my children and grandchild, and that is
there for millions of others across this great country.
“So
once again, I am extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans blocked our
attempt to begin debate on the legislation this amendment was attached to.
I am going to keep fighting for the DREAM Act. And I am going to
keep working toward comprehensive immigration reform that helps our economy,
affords the opportunities we have offered to generations of immigrants,
maintains those great American value that I hold so dear, and improves our
security.”
The
DREAM Act would make permanent residency available to undocumented students who
came to the United States when they were children, are long-term residents,
have good moral character, and attend college for at least two years or enlist
in the military.
Read
the full text of Senator Murray’s speech below:
Mr.
President, one of the many values that make America so great is that no matter
where we start off from in life, we believe that we all deserve to have a shot
at the American dream.
We all
deserve an opportunity to work hard, support our families, and give back to the
nation that has been there for us all of our lives.
This is
an American value I cherish. It’s one I feel very strongly we ought to maintain
and strengthen. And it’s why I stand here today to talk about the DREAM Act,
which would help us do exactly that.
Mr.
President—the amendment we proposed was a narrowly-tailored piece of
legislation that was developed with Democrats and Republicans working together.
And I
was extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans refused to even allow us to
begin debate on this critical issue.
The
DREAM Act would give a select group of undocumented students the chance to
become permanent residents if they came to this country as children, are
long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character, and attend college for at
least two years or enlist in the military.
Under
this bill, tens of thousands of well-qualified potential recruits would become
eligible for military service for the first time.
These are
young people who love our country and are eager to serve in the Armed Forces
during a time of war.
And the
DREAM Act would add a very strong incentive for them to enlist by providing a
path to permanent legal status.
It would
also make qualified students eligible for temporary legal immigration status
upon high school graduation—which would lead to permanent residency if they
attend college.
And most
importantly—it would allow the young people who want to give back to America an
opportunity to do so.
Mr.
President, this is about our values as a nation.
But it’s
also about real communities. And real people in my home state of Washington and
across the country.
I want
to share a few stories I have heard that demonstrate why the DREAM Act is so critical.
I got a
letter from a young man named Carlos, who was brought to the United States when
he was just two years old.
Carlos’
mom went to work every day to provide for her son—but she never told him that
he was undocumented.
It was
only when he wanted to go overseas on a school community service trip that he
found out.
Carlos
excelled academically and helped his family out with money by selling hot dogs
after school.
And by
the end of High School he was student body Vice President and had received a
scholarship to attend the University of Washington—where he is scheduled to
start this year.
Carlos
is going to continue selling hot dogs to pay for textbooks—and his dream is to
go to law school and become a civil rights lawyer when he graduates.
I also
heard from Judith, from Tacoma—another undocumented immigrant.
Judith
recently graduated from high-school and she told me that she dreams of joining
the Navy and serving her country.
And I
heard from another student in Washington state.
He is
excelling at school—but because he is undocumented he has been unable to apply
for work-study programs, internships, or federally funded scholarships.
He told me
he wants to graduate and give back to the community by working with young
people—that’s his dream—but he is afraid that his status will prevent him from
achieving that goal.
He
told me he lives in fear of being deported. That the United States is his home,
and that he wants nothing more than to be given a shot at the American Dream.
Mr.
President—the only way that can happen—the only way any of these young people
can get that shot—is if we pass the DREAM Act.
The
stories I told here today are of just three of the young people whose lives
this affects—but I have received hundreds of stories just like theirs.
And this
issue touches so many more across the country.
The
amendment we proposed would have allowed us to take a first step towards fixing
an immigration system that is clearly broken with real solutions that will help
real people.
And for
me, this isn’t just about immigration—it’s about what type of country we want
to be.
America
has long been a beacon of hope for people across the world.
And I
believe that to keep that beacon bright we need to make sure young people like
Carlos and Judith are given a shot at the American Dream.
The
dream that was there for me, that is there for my children and grandchild, and
that is there for millions of others across this great country.
So once
again, I am extremely disappointed that Senate Republicans blocked our attempt
to begin debate on the legislation this amendment was attached to.
I am
going to keep fighting for the DREAM Act.
And I am
going to keep working toward comprehensive immigration reform that helps our
economy, affords the opportunities we have offered to generations of
immigrants, maintains those great American value that I hold so dear, and
improves our security.
Thank
you. I yield the floor.
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