Majority Leader Reid Files New Version of the DREAM ACT (S. 3992) To Address Republicans’ Concerns

 The DREAM Act (S. 729/H.R. 1751) provides qualified undocumented students and those who agree to serve in the armed forces an opportunity to earn permanent legal status. To qualify for this six-year path to legal permanent residency, such aliens must successfully complete educational or military requirements. The bill targets legalization of young people brought into the United States at an early age, who have spent the majority of their lives in the U.S. The legislation would provide an avenue for these young people to acquire legal status if they pursue a college degree or join the U.S. military for at least 2 years.

AgJOBS

 AgJOBS (S. 1038/H.R. 2414) would provide undocumented farm workers an opportunity to earn legal status by meeting past and future agricultural work requirements. AgJOBS will revise the present H-2A regime and permit undocumented agricultural worker to remain and work in the United States so long as they meet newly imposed requirements.

 New Revisions to the Legislation

On November 30, 2010, Senate Majority Leader Reid introduced a revised version of the DREAM Act to address some concerns raised by Republicans. The revisions include: exclusion of certain convicts from being eligible for benefits; creating an age-cutoff for applicants, subjecting applicants to criminal background checks; extending the period of the good moral character requirement for applicants; exclusion of those who engaged in persecution, requirement that qualifying college education be obtained in the U.S.; English language proficiency requirements; as well as other measures to ensure the integrity of qualifying applicants.