Supporters of legislation that would give some undocumented students a path to legal immigration status failed last week to win the votes needed in the U.S. Senate for the bill to proceed in the legislative process.
The bill, called the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act, would have given undocumented-immigrant youths who graduate from U.S. high schools and meet certain criteria an opportunity to attain legal status. One requirement for legalization would be that they attend college or serve in the military for at least two years.
The vote to end debate on Oct. 24 was 52-40 in favor, short of the 60 required. Sen. Richard J. Durbin, an Illinois Democrat and the majority whip, won’t take up the measure again during the current session, according to a spokeswoman for the senator.
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