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Editorial: Reaching for a dream

Congress should pass a bill that would give good students who were brought into this country illegally as children by their parents a better chance for success as citizens.

Congress should pass a bill that would give good students who were brought into this country illegally as children by their parents a better chance for success as citizens.

Under the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, a path to citizenship would be provided to these children after they graduate from high school and enroll in college or the military for two years, steps that would help them become productive members of society.

Critics argue such action condones or encourages illegal immigration, but that's a narrow-minded view of a much bigger problem. There are at least 12 million illegal immigrants who live and work in the United States. Since most are not returning to their homelands, this country must find a good way to move them to permanent-residency status.

Short of a comprehensive national policy on immigration, the DREAM Act bill provides lawmakers with an opportunity to pass one segment of the sweeping reform that's needed.

President Obama had promised to take up immigration his first year in office. But with other issues on the table, in particular health-care reform and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he has been forced to delay tackling another divisive issue.

First introduced in 2001, the DREAM Act, however, already has widespread bipartisan support. It nearly passed the Senate in 2007, falling short by a few votes. The bill was introduced again last March. The College Board, which represents more than 5,000 schools and administers the SAT college entrance exams, supports the legislation.

Under the bill, illegal immigrants under 30 who entered the country before they were 16 would be eligible if they meet specific criteria. They must have clean records, and must have lived here for five years. They also would have to apply for conditional legal status. After six years, they would become eligible for U.S. citizenship.

Those seem like reasonable guidelines. An estimated 65,000 illegal immigrants graduate from U.S. high schools annually and have the potential to excel in college. But because of decisions made by their parents, many face uncertain futures.

The bill would further make those who qualify under the new law eligible for in-state tuition and some federal financial aid. Without that, many cannot afford college, or they won't apply out of fear of deportation.

Already, 11 states offer illegal immigrants reduced tuition. A similar measure in New Jersey fell short earlier this year.

Although many illegal immigrants work and pay taxes, giving their children a chance to attend college or serve in the military would help those families contribute more to the economy with better jobs and higher wages.

That's no substitute for a new immigration policy that addresses the larger issues. But the DREAM Act can be a first step to put the children of illegal immigrants on the right path.