Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010

Floor Speech

* Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the DREAM Act and in support of thousands of Florida students--and families and businesses in my community--who will benefit when we pass it.

* Our great Nation is built upon the fundamental principles of liberty, equality and opportunity.

* These values apply to all, except for a small group of young people who have been stuck in limbo through no fault of their own and face obstacles to education and productivity.

* Here are a few examples:

* A young woman from central Florida came to the United States from Costa Rica with her family when she was very young. She graduated from an arts magnet school with a 4.2 GPA. She was accepted to every school she applied to, but she couldn't attend any because tuition was too high and she didn't qualify for financial aid. The DREAM Act will help.

* An Armwood High School valedictorian faced obstacles as he tried to get college financial aid and scholarships. Despite perfect grades, he had a tough time getting the financial help he needed. The DREAM Act will help.

* A young woman I personally know well was born in Mexico City and grew up with only her mother after she was brought to America as a baby. Despite stellar grades in high school, she was ineligible for in-state college tuition.

* ``It would have given me a lot more opportunities,'' she says. ``It would have made me part of the fabric of this country that I have lived in my whole life and that I have contributed to my whole life.''

* In Florida, in-state tuition costs about $5,200 per year, but out-of-state at the University of South Florida, $16,000. At the University of Florida, it exceeds $25,000. These students are barred from Florida's Bright Futures scholarship. Thousands of students are in this predicament. For them, hope is extinguished.

* The DREAM Act will breathe new life into the hopes and dreams of thousands of young people who only know America as their home. We need to support and encourage higher education, instead of preventing and discouraging these teens from attending college or serving in the armed forces.

* The DREAM Act would allow students who entered the U.S. before their 16th birthday, who have lived in the country for at least five years, who are in good moral standing and who have graduated from high school to be classified as permanent residents and pursue a path toward citizenship. As permanent residents, they would be able to apply for in-state tuition and federal student financial aid, enabling them to pursue the American Dream of higher education.

* Young adults could also earn conditional permanent residency status if they complete 2 years in the military.

* I am proud to co-sponsor this vital legislation and look forward to its swift passage so we can help put our hard-working and intelligent students on the road to citizenship.

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