Obama: I would sign the DREAM Act
The President said during his annual State of the Union address that he would sign the DREAM Act. (Wikipedia)
by JUAN GASTELUM
Channel: Politics, Immigration
In a move that pits him against Republicans in the running for the White House, President Obama said during his State of the Union address Tuesday that he would sign legislation to give some students in the country illegally an opportunity to stay.
“We should be working on comprehensive immigration reform right now,” Obama said during his annual speech before Congress. “But if election-year politics keeps Congress from acting on a comprehensive plan, let’s at least agree to stop expelling responsible young people who want to staff our labs, start new businesses, and defend this country.”
Though the president did not mention the bill by name, he referred to the DREAM Act, legislation that has been under the consideration of Congress for more than ten years and would provide a pathway to citizenship to some undocumented immigrants who were brought to country as children, provided they attend college or join the military.
Obama has said repeatedly in the past that he supports the legislation, but alluding to it on Tuesday — with his reelection bid underway — made it part of his effort to court the coveted Latino vote and create a sharp contrast with his GOP opponents.
At the Republican debate in Florida on Monday, no candidates in the Republican race said they would support the DREAM Act as written. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he would only support a modified version of the law that would provide a pathway to citizenship to those undocumented children of immigrants who serve in the military.
And easing up on an earlier vow to veto the bill, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said he agreed with Gingrich.
While Obama proposed the legislation as alternative to the deep congressional impasse on comprehensive immigration reform, his statements certainly capitalize on the proclaimed stances of his potential opponents. The DREAM Act has also been held up in Congress after it passed the House of Representatives in 2010.
“Send me a law that gives them the chance to earn their citizenship,” Obama said. “I will sign it right away.”
