Kathya Anguiano
TBS Contributing Writer
A recent development in American politics is the Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, which is a piece of proposed federal legislation that was first introduced in the U.S. Senate on August 1, 2001 and most recently re-introduced there and in the U.S. House of Representatives back on March 26, 2009.
This bill will provide certain illegal and deportable alien students the right to graduate from U.S. high schools. It would give opportunity to those who are of good moral character, and those who arrived in the country continuously and illegally for at least five years prior to the bill’s enactment. Those who qualify would earn conditional permanent residency if they complete two years at a four year institution of higher learning.
On Dec. 8, the Dream Act passed by the House of Representatives and was supposed to be agreed upon by the Senate but they left it on “hold” because the house could not agree on anything. Therefore, there are people on hunger strikes still and others just praying and wishing the Dream Act passes by so that it is legal.
Recently, in San Antonio, students from the University of Texas-San Antonio demonstrated their support for the Dream Act with an organized student rally and protest.