Senate DREAM Act vote falls short; more immigration bills unlikely

Published: 2007-10-25

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Senate Oct. 24 fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to bring the DREAM Act to the floor, closing down an attempt to pass even a small piece of immigration legislation that has enjoyed bipartisan support. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, would have given young adults who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents at least five years ago the chance to legalize their own status while serving in the military or attending college at in-state tuition rates. Kevin Appleby, director of immigration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the failure of the 52-44 cloture vote, a preliminary step to bringing the bill to the floor for debate, was "terribly disappointing." He told Catholic News Service, "An extremely vulnerable group of children who needed relief fell prey to partisan politics." The bill was first introduced several years ago by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and has had supporters from both parties all along. Its chief sponsor in this session said estimates of the number of students who might benefit from the bill range from fewer than 100,000 to fewer than 500,000.

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