While overall I believe in the natural right for humanity to freely move across the World, which is also a basic tenet of Global Capitalism that we like to ignore, I do believe in the priority given by the DREAM Act to immigrants who have a more direct affect to our economic prosperity and a complex tie to this country. The truth is that in a global economy that is becoming more integrated and developing into key regional economic blocs each with its own economic competitiveness, it is to our advantage to put our neighbors before geographically distant countries. The Asian and European Economic blocs know this, and thus they have allowed the free movement of the labor market, or open immigration, within their regions to various degrees. It is a hypocrisy to preach Capitalism when basic economic theory emphasizes the need for free markets, including human capital.....PEOPLE. I understand the need for registration and background checks, but the restrictions placed on Immigration during the fears of German/Japanese infiltration in the 20th century go against our Founding Fathers principles. Furthermore, we owe it to countries such as Mexico when we signed on to our free trade agreements, such as NAFTA. The single largest cause of the previous mass migration of Mexicans into the US was the signing of NAFTA, which opened up the US Agricultural markets to compete against the poor Mexican farmer, and thus left masses of unemployed. It is a known fact that most illegals are from Mexico's agricultural states. The reason....we neglected our promise to eventually reduce the wasteful agricultural subsidies that we give to large agricultural companies. Instead of scapegoating the people that suffer from our unfairness, we should cure the cause. We stand for free trade, yet because of political reasons and special interests in the Midwest we end up being hypocrites and liars. This one issue has had more economic ramifications, and has led to waste on other fronts such as our "War against Drugs." Corruption and Desperation is a symptom of Economic Abuse. I've studied in great detail Economics and Trade Agreements from the United States perspective and several other Latin American countries' perspectives, and this is a repeating theme. Ultimately, if we want to remain competitive in a global scale, we have to help our neighboring countries and find each other strengths to compete in a Global Economy. People complain about China but then don't see that we have brought this to ourselves by not enhancing our trade agreements with neighboring countries. US Corporations have flocked to China instead of using the strength of Mexico's labor market. As Mexico's economy further deteriorates, the further behind we get. Ultimately, our regional blocs manufacturing sector is lost if we don't change. Instead we are left bickering amongst ourselves. There is a reason why Economists mention this time and time again, the free flow of people is vital to economic equilibrium between regions so that capital in prosperous areas is invested in the developing area, and thus wages and domestic demand eventually increases, which eventually benefits the neighboring investor. Historical US Southern and Northern economic development between our regional states is a clear example of this. People moved across the country during economic turmoil. If the USA and CSA would have been left after the Civil War, the South would still be mostly an Agricultural Economy.

Secondly, the United States is being left behind in terms of a highly educated population compared to the rest of the world. We need to open up our economy further to educated and skilled workers. Our corporations need to maintain their innovation and competitive edge, and currently there is a demand. There should be no reason to fear competition from other people. It's not right that otherwise ambitious and educated immigrants who are here because of their parents actions should not be able to help our economy in this way and instead continue to live in the background, which simply increases the risk of them actually being a burden to our society.

Furthermore, most have more right because of cultural and historical ties. Do you know that many Mexicans are actually Native Americans descendants across the border from the Pueblo ancestry or other Amerindians? Currently, their native lands are partitioned by our border. They have family ties that go back before we placed political borders. The majority of Hispanic Arizonan and New Mexicans share this family connection. I feel the same about Pakistanis having the right to go back to India or Bangladesh because of the family and cultural ties that go further back than their Partition. Your Pakistani friends in the UK should appreciate open immigration because that is exactly what they have in the European Union and what they might have left in Pakistan to begin with. Any European Union citizen is free to travel across all nations in Europe.

Well, I could go on...but those are just a few basic reasons of many.

Legalization was coming sooner or later!

Overall I can see why most of you may see it as a bad thing... But at least in this specific law, it will only grant legalization to those who qualify and wont allow that person to sponsor a family member! neverthelss Education wont be free either like every American claims under financial aid, because these specific people wont qualify, so education will be paid by their own money!

This is a highly volatile and emotional political topic! I oppose passage of the Dream Act in its present form because it mandates more time and public debate before it can be become law. There are many other National priority issues, such as realistic and effective plans to immediately (1) reduce our soaring National Debt, (2) increase sustainable Employment in the Private Sector, (3) increase the value of the dollar so that the U.S. remains a first rate nation, and (4) provide the best Defense to assure the safety of all U.S. citizens (just to name a few!)

@Gary Johnson, its people like you who are a disgrace to the American population. EDUCATE yourself Not ALL illegal immigrants are MEXICAN. YOU are an immigrant Im sure your ancestors didn't have proper legal papers when they invaded and kicked out the Native Americans who are the true citizens of this country. Ignorant people like you are the ones who need to be thrown out of this country.

I just wish that all of you that oppose this would actually do some reading on the Dream Act so your arguments are backed up by something! How do you think that all these people are able to afford living here and going to school here? because they already have jobs! they are making ends meet and have more hunger to succeed than many of you that say that Americans are in dire need of jobs.. These people go out there and take a job doing anything. these people are American!

This is a "Nightmare Act" for the UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND LEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

The "illegal immigrants" ARE "PARASITES" to the "UNITED STATES TAXPAYERS".

DEPORT ALL "illegal immigrants" Back to their Homeland and Confiscate All their Money and Assets and use that money to DEPORT more "illegal immigrants".

"And I'd like to know how these people are going to prove that they've been in the country prior to age 16. Are their parents really going to fess up to that? Or are we just taking somebody's word for it?"

Since they have to graduate high school in order to qualify, they have to attend US high school. To register for high school you need to provide birth certificate. Those that overstayed their visas, obviously have their date of entry as proof. People with GRE can probably use other types of proof - date of issuance of driver's license, enrollment in some government program that requires age verification, etc. 

There are many ways

Yes I do agree that people should gain citizenship legally; however, the laws for immigration right now do not give a path for undocumented students to become legal unless they marry a citizen. Which I do not favor, I would not like to get married just to become a citizen. The wait time to gain a visa is years. If student immigrants would like to get a visa they would have to return to their country of origin obtain a very good job over there, work at least 5 years and then apply. But they still would not be able to become a resident they would only have a permit to stay for six months.

The only other option is to apply for residency through a family member. Usually a sibling who was born in the United States after they arrived. First the sibling would have to turn 18 years old, file a petition for their sibling and wait 10 years for trial. Then they can become a resident. My brother is 10 years old that means I have to wait 18 more years to become a citizen the "legal way"?

Passing the dream act will in hence provide students to gain citizenship the "legal way" if the bill passes. These people love the United States of America as much as every American does. We want to be classified as American for once and for all. If I do become an American and a war broke out I would defend the American people. This is my country

He is a disgrace to the American population because he don't hold your views? Can't people have a different view than you and still be a good American? We aren't all liberals, thank god.

This is so typical of the liberals. Refuse to give true Americans a tax break so they can give free tution, welfare and citizenship to illegal aliens. Is anyone paying for your child's college tution? I'm paying for mine!

How is this amnesty? How is this a gift or a bonus? IT'S EARNED CITIZENSHIP. They work for it; they either go into the military for YOUR country - since it's not their according to you - or they go to college and become YOUR doctors and YOUR teachers; paying taxes like YOU. They need a chance, that's all. And your ignorance will not only deprive them of a future but also yourself. These people could be the next generations scientists; for all you know, they could be the one to cure some deadly disease, instead you'll push them back into their country THAT THEY DON'T KNOW because they have been here for years since they were kids. If you can't get a job, that's your problem, not someone else's. Make yourself marketable and make sure you have a lot of assets and then you'll have jobs too. 

No, No, No, come here a criminal leave here a criminal. Why should we care what the rest of the world thinks of us? After all of that butt kissing the guy in the White House did, the only thing the foreign countries want, is to know when they can expect the next check.

No,No,No to the propossed Dream Act! Bottom line.Do not reward Immigrants for illegally being in our country.

have u had enough already america

While overall I believe in the natural right for humanity to freely move across the World, which is also a basic tenet of Global Capitalism that we like to ignore, I do believe in the priority given by the DREAM Act to immigrants wh...o have a more direct affect to our economic prosperity and a complex tie to this country. The truth is that in a global economy that is becoming more integrated and developing into key regional economic blocs each with its own economic competitiveness, it is to our advantage to put our neighbors before geographically distant countries. The Asian and European Economic blocs know this, and thus they have allowed the free movement of the labor market, or open immigration, within their regions to various degrees. It is a hypocrisy to preach Capitalism when basic economic theory emphasizes the need for free markets, including human capital.....PEOPLE. I understand the need for registration and background checks, but the restrictions placed on Immigration during the fears of German/Japanese infiltration in the 20th century go against our Founding Fathers principles. Furthermore, we owe it to countries such as Mexico when we signed on to our free trade agreements, such as NAFTA. The single largest cause of the previous mass migration of Mexicans into the US was the signing of NAFTA, which opened up the US Agricultural markets to compete against the poor Mexican farmer, and thus left masses of unemployed. It is a known fact that most illegals are from Mexico's agricultural states. The reason....we neglected our promise to eventually reduce the wasteful agricultural subsidies that we give to large agricultural companies. Instead of scapegoating the people that suffer from our unfairness, we should cure the cause. We stand for free trade, yet because of political reasons and special interests in the Midwest we end up being hypocrites and liars. This one issue has had more economic ramifications, and has led to waste on other fronts such as our "War against Drugs." Corruption and Desperation is a symptom of Economic Abuse. I've studied in great detail Economics and Trade Agreements from the United States perspective and several other Latin American countries' perspectives, and this is a repeating theme. Ultimately, if we want to remain competitive in a global scale, we have to help our neighboring countries and find each other strengths to compete in a Global Economy. People complain about China but then don't see that we have brought this to ourselves by not enhancing our trade agreements with neighboring countries. US Corporations have flocked to China instead of using the strength of Mexico's labor market. As Mexico's economy further deteriorates, the further behind we get. Ultimately, our regional blocs manufacturing sector is lost if we don't change. Instead we are left bickering amongst ourselves. There is a reason why Economists mention this time and time again, the free flow of people is vital to economic equilibrium between regions so that capital in prosperous areas is invested in the developing area, and thus wages and domestic demand eventually increases, which eventually benefits the neighboring investor. Historical US Southern and Northern economic development between our regional states is a clear example of this. People moved across the country during economic turmoil. If the USA and CSA would have been left after the Civil War, the South would still be mostly an Agricultural Economy.

Secondly, the United States is being left behind in terms of a highly educated population compared to the rest of the world. We need to open up our economy further to educated and skilled workers. Our corporations need to maintain their innovation and competitive edge, and currently there is a demand. There should be no reason to fear competition from other people. It's not right that otherwise ambitious and educated immigrants who are here because of their parents actions should not be able to help our economy in this way and instead continue to live in the background, which simply increases the risk of them actually being a burden to our society.

Furthermore, most have more right because of cultural and historical ties. Do you know that many Mexicans are actually Native Americans descendants across the border from the Pueblo ancestry or other Amerindians? Currently, their native lands are partitioned by our border. They have family ties that go back before we placed political borders. The majority of Hispanic Arizonan and New Mexicans share this family connection. I feel the same about Pakistanis having the right to go back to India or Bangladesh because of the family and cultural ties that go further back than their Partition. Your Pakistani friends in the UK should appreciate open immigration because that is exactly what they have in the European Union and what they might have left in Pakistan to begin with. Any European Union citizen is free to travel across all nations in Europe.

Well, I could go on...but those are just a few basic reasons of many.

Faithbased & superstar. Don't speak of racism like your above it. Anyone who voted for obama did so because he's black.... This is racist. He had no qualifications to get that job. Had he been white noone would have even considered him. You all voted for him because it was "Time for a black president" shame on all of you. As far as legally vs illegally, Do either of you pay taxes. The immigrant who pays his way and becomes an "american" is what we need not more racist leiners. My people came through Ellis island, paid thier dues and became citizens. Also paid thier taxes.....

 Well, America got another temporary reprieve on the amnesty debacle. Our lawmakers need to stop wasting their time on trying to legalize the illegals. Their time and OUR money would be better spent securing our borders and enforcing deportations en masse!

Good. That bill would give a person who illegally migrated here at 15 access to the Guaranteed Student Loan for college. I'm usually with the Democrats. But not on this.

I was born here, as were my parents, and I couldn't get that "guaranteed" loan, because my parents made too much money. The government didn't care they weren't paying for any of my college. You have to wait 2 years after you are no longer listed as a dependent on someone's tax return before the stop considering that irrelevant person's income.

DREAM Act punted, faces uphill battle in Senate

I think those Haters are just very afraid.. Nothing will satisfy the haters. Thirty years ago it was enough to be born an American....but NOW they actually need to compete..they were cuddled...everybody was a winner....everybody got a price. The undocumented college kids have ACTUALLY worked their butt off, they speak most likely two languages and they love this country. Why not give them a chance.?

The actual choice is between allowing these young men and women to develop their talents and serve in the military, or not. The haters dont welcome any kind documented or undocumented foreigners.

" the Dream Act is effective at stripping away pretense. Opponents of this law don't want earned citizenship for any illegal immigrant - even those personally guilty of no crime, even those who demonstrate their skills and character. They have no intention of sharing the honor of citizenship with anyone called illegal - even those who came as children, have grown up as neighbors and would be willing to give their lives in the nation's cause."

SUPPORT THE DREAM ACT if you love this country. it is good for America... stop your blind hate...talk to those kids.

keep the educated kids.......only kids that graduate from college can stay.....and recieve only a working visa.......then wait 10 years for the next step for them only......after that us cirizenship application period of 5 years .....only then allow them to bring there parents......that basically what is the current law

Immigrants already have a pathway to citizenship. Certain people choose not to. Instead they save up for years and pay a coyote to smuggle them in. As far as a civil rights issue our laws put the offenders before a judge who decides whether or not they are deported. Here is some info for Harry Reid:

Generally -- very generally -- you may not become a naturalized U.S. citizen unless you:

1. Are at least 18 years old and a lawful permanent resident ("green card" holder);
2. Have resided continuously in the United States, having been lawfully admitted for permanent residence, for five years immediately preceding the date you filed your application for naturalization, or
3. Have, after having been removed from conditional permanent resident status, based upon your marriage to a U.S. citizen, having resided in the United States for one year after the date the condition was removed;
4. Have resided continuously in the United States at all times after your application to the time and date of your admission for citizenship;
5. Have, during all periods of time referred to above, been and still are a person of good moral character;
6. Have no outstanding deportation or removal order and no pending deportation or removal proceeding;
7. Have the ability to read, write, speak, and understand simple words and phrases in English;
8. Have knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of U.S. history and government;
9. Are attached to, and can support, the principles of the U.S. Constitution and can swear allegiance to the United States

I think the English thing has been revised. But there is a way to do this. Reagan already gave a lot of folks breaks but I recall many who continued to not follow the process. Why do we have to do this every twenty years? It does have a cost to us taxpayers and it has a cost to the economy. Free is not free, it requires a price be paid. Those unwilling to pay that price do not need to be here. I have to follow the law and so does everyone else.

First off....this is NOT just for "kids"....I think they have an age on this at like at age 30 which is NOT a "kid". This is plain and simple straight up AMNESTY. They can enroll in college AT OUR EXPENSE, ON OUR LOANS and GRANTS they WONT HAVE TO PAY BACK ANY OF....while OUR own kids struggle to get loans IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY. They can also join the military and QUIT right after gaining amnesty......and the college too.....

This is a BAD IDEA.....it will encourage MORE illegal immigration.....IT WILL DO NOTHING FOR WHAT IS ALREADY GOING ON EITHER......

Ezster, we can't afford to give FREE tuition, food, healthcare to anyone but our own. I don't pay taxes so your relatives can get a free ride. What about mexico's taxes. Are these people who are so valuable to our future paying thier way in thier own country? I doubt it.

BTW there are more ways to citizenship than those expained here. My grandparents came here and became citizens..... Those laws are still in place. You want to be a American, work for it and the pay for it.... its called capitalism...

No mas...No Mas....Go home where you belong......Stop stealing our jobs......Most of the dreams will burden our welfare system and learn how to get around the whole requirements law for them.....Go back to mexico and form your TEQUILA party and overthrow that POS presidend calderone......JMO....NOW LEAVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dream Act? Immigration laws exist for a reason. The USA accepts more LEGAL immigrants than any other country. Why reward people for breaking the law, and why encourage others to enter the country ILLEGALLY. As far as allowing illegal immigrants to serve two years in our armed forces as a pathway to citizenship, Why? Legal citizens must serve a minimum of three years to receive full education benefits. As a retired veteran, I wonder how our armed forces will fair with a large influx of temporary enlistees. By the time initial training is completed, most of these temporary enlistees will separate from the service. Our servicemen and women face many challenges, don't dump the problems of a broken immigration system on the backs of the military.