White House Still Pressing Congress on Dream Act

The Obama administration has been remarkably indecisive on the subject of immigration. On one hand, the president talks a lot about his support for a bill. On the other hand, the Obama administration has also deported a record number of illegal immigrants. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency estimates that 400,000 people will be deported in 2010, 25 percent more than were deported in 2007 under President Bush.

DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) would offer a path to legalization for undocumented college students or soldiers in the military who came to the United States as children (under 15 years old) and have lived here for at least five years. DREAM act will allow 2.1 million illegal immigrants under the age of 35 to legally remain in the country.

But over the years, the DREAM Act has been politically divisive. Beyond this, politicians have to consider public opinion. A more compassionate approach to immigration enforcement would benefit everyone in the United States. According to a recent study by the Center for American Progress, progressive immigration reform would yield at least $1.5 trillion in cumulative U.S. gross domestic product over the next 10 years.

California Court Backs Illegal Immigrant Students

California Supreme Court ruled on Monday that illegal immigrants can be eligible for the same reduced tuition at public colleges and universities as legal residents of the state. Currently, students who attend at least three years of high school in California and graduate are eligible for in-state tuition at public schools, which can save them as much as $12,000 a year compared with students who come from other states. But still Illegal immigrants ineligible for state or federal financial aid. Read full story