The DREAM Act is expected to come up for a vote in the U.S. Senate next week. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, a proposed Amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill, could be this year’s best chance to take a positive step on immigration reform.

The DREAM Act , introduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), offers a “conditional path to citizenship” to sons and daughters of undocumented families who arrived to the United States by age 15. It would provide permanent legal status if they have good moral character, finish high school or obtain a G.E.D., and complete two years of college or military service. It has the potential to provide nearly 1 million children and young people with improved access to higher education, including many Arkansas high school graduates who today have very limited options.

AACF commends U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln for signing on as a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act. Call her and U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor today to let them know we need their votes on this important legislation by calling 202-224-3121.

The DREAM Act is a great start. Arkansas still needs to do more to ensure that students who would benefit from the federal legislation have the opportunity to attend college at in-state tuition rates. We could do that with a state DREAM Act, which has been proposed every legislative session since 2005. Currently, nine states have passed legislation to provide the in-state rate, and Arkansas should join the list.