What is it?
The DREAM Act is a bipartisan bill, which if passed, will create an
opportunity for certain undocumented students to get onto a path of
legalization. The bill is also known as the Development, Relief, and
Education for Alien Minors Act in the U.S. Senate and the American
Dream Act in the House of Representatives.
Under the DREAM Act, a student will qualify for a 6-year conditional
permanent resident status if he or she:
1. Arrived in the U.S. under the age of 16;
2. Lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years before the date of the enact-
ment of the DREAM Act; and
3. Completed high school or earned a GED
The student would be able to convert to a permanent resident status if
during the following 6 years, they either complete 2 years at a 2-year
or 4-year college or serve in the armed forces for 2 years or more.
Students would not qualify for this relief if they have committed cer-
tain crimes, are a security risk, or are inadmissible or removable on
certain other grounds.
