Providing for Consideration of Senate Amendments to H.R. 5281, Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010

Floor Speech

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Ms. CASTOR of Florida. I thank the gentleman for yielding and rise in support of the DREAM Act.

I rise today in support of thousands of Florida students--and families and businesses throughout my community--who will benefit under the Dream Act.

Our great nation is built 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.

Young woman from central Florida came to the U.S. 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.

Armwood High School valedictorian who 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.

Young woman I know who was born in Mexico City. She 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. The Dream Act will breathe new life into the hopes and dreams 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.

The Dream Act would allow students who entered the United States 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 two 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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