Durbin Characterizes DREAM Act as ‘Starting Point’ in Amnesty for All Illegal Aliens
At a press conference, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) characterized the DREAM Act as his contribution to – and a stepping stone towards – “comprehensive immigration reform.”
The DREAM Act would grant legal status to aliens whose parents brought them into the country illegally as minors, if the individual is “of good moral character” and is pursuing a higher education or serving in the military.
Durbin has been a driving force behind the 10-year campaign to get the legislation enacted. It was re-introduced most recently last May. Durbin recalled that when the late Sen. Ted Kennedy was advocating for legislation that would grant amnesty to illegal aliens already in the United States, Kennedy often relegated his role to the DREAM Act and dismissed him from discussions.
“I didn’t want to leave but I knew that [the DREAM Act] was going to be the accepted starting point,” Durbin said. “And I want it to be a starting point.”
Tuesday’s press conference was held to announce the DREAM Act Sabbath, an event slated for the fall when participating “faith leaders” will discuss the legislation during or after religious services.
Among those present at the conference were Islamic Society of North America president Mohamed Magid, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington, D.C., and Lisa Gruschcow, associate rabbi with Congregation Rodeph Shalom in New York City.
Durbin said there was a “moral argument” for making the DREAM Act law.
“Now I’m a politician not a pastor, so I tread carefully when I speak about religion,” he said. “But this much it is safe to say: The DREAM Act is built on a fundamental moral principal that is shared by all the faith traditions represented here today – that it is wrong to punish children for the actions of their parents.
“There’s an equally powerful moral argument for the DREAM Act,” he added. “Every faith tradition recognizes we have a special obligation to protect the innocent. And that’s what the DREAM Act would do.”
Read more at CNSNews.com.
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Comments
VERY URGENT! DON’T LET TIME RUN OUT..?
Submitted by Brittanicus on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 8:01pm.
Before the August recess of Congress, the American people can aid jobless citizens, legal permanent aliens by insisting that The Legal Workforce Act, H.R. 2164 be brought to the House floor for a vote. Time is of the essence and Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith has an answer, to produce millions of jobs quickly and efficiently requiring the use of E-Verify nationwide that would free up jobs currently held by illegal aliens. This is a chance to help your fellow unemployed countryman by Calling House Leadership NOW Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the "Speaker of the House's office" or the "House Majority Leader's office. This is a very distasteful situation but birthright and legal individuals have a right to be employed over foreign cheap labor. You can also call the direct lines by dialing:
* House Speaker John Boehner -- 202-225-0600
* House Majority Leader Eric Cantor -- 202-225-4000
America has been silently invaded and we are heading towards a future of overpopulation. We do not have the financial resources anymore and taking money from US taxpayers to pay for illegal alien’s welfare, emergency hospital visits and more throughout America is wrong. In all the discussions about cutting back on the US treasury deficits, both parties are refusing to consider in these opposed debates, the fact that illegal aliens are compounding this major issue; the dollar amount to the $14.5 Trillion dollars, in this depressed meltdown we are facing. The Department of Homeland Security estimated in 2003, that 8 million to 12 million illegal aliens had settled in America and 700,000 new people enter illegally and stay each year, with 8 million plus taking jobs from low income, middle class workers. This is about illegal immigration? An immigrant is not illegal and people need to be enlightened.
E-Verify will reduce Sanctuary Cities and States policies, counter react The Dream Act, Secure Communities and place on iron fist of another fraudulent Amnesty being enacted. Secure Communitiesis also an excellent policing enforcement tool, but that is already enacted, but receiving negative publicity. Highly skilled Professional workers are always welcome, not indigent ECONOMIC illegal aliens who are driving this country, into a third world condition. We cannot accommodate any longer those who come here to steal welfare and public services from valid Americans. It is estimated that illegal aliens send home by wire transfer around $40 billion dollars annually, which should be going into state treasuries. Join the TEA PARTY; join the people of Black, White, Hispanic and every race and backgrounds who believe in the "Rule of Law."
PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO EVERYBODY YOU TRUST.
We need oversight of our election process, as illegal aliens are voting--intentional or not, as they have in New York, Texas, Colorado and could alter the course of federal elections. Citizens must insist of the federal government that every person who registers or those on the rolls, be in possession of official ID to prove their right to vote. Voter fraud is REAL. Even municipal petitions at the county level are not safe from illegal foreign nationals.Our right to vote is a matter and respect; integrity to our most valuable possession given to us by the founding fathers and should not be violated by people who scorn our laws, by entering this sovereign nation illegally. currently many States are pursuing laws to demand ID documentation for individuals who wish to vote. American patriots who believe in the "Rule of Law" should observe or ask for some kind of unbiased representative to check registrations, petitions and election rolls.
Obama on illegal immigration; then vs now
Submitted by Gary Hall on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:02pm.
It's long been my view that if one summarized and listed out, bullet style, the main points of either Tom Tancredo or Lou Dobbs, or both, and polled the American public on those views (with the names Tancredo and Dobbs not mentioned) that a solid 70-75% of the country would support those views.
Don't get me wrong - Obama is no Tancredo or Dobbs, but here is what he ran on back in 2008. From a Democrat debate amongst the candidates in Las Vegas, 2008:
Funny - I didn't see the DREAM Act in there -- A N Y W H E R E !
(;~> gary
Yea Gary,
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:12pm.
I remember when a certain poster would post Obama's deportation numbers every other week.
Well I confess to posting them twice
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:24pm.
since Obama has been in office. So that would translate to approximately every other year. I'll try to ease off just for you, Boudin.
Jer
Must had been
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:28pm.
2 weeks in row then. Why did you stop? Think he is still on top of his deportation game?
I think it more likely
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:33pm.
has to do with your tendency to exaggerate.
Jer
Your right,
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:52pm.
Obama never had no "game"
Boudin (& Jer - cause jer here too)
Submitted by Gary Hall on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:32pm.
I actually meant to do a little more digging on this issue - the Obama show and tell - about the deportation numbers going up -- higher and higher than they were under Bush. All very interesting, as Obama reeks of nothing which would seem to support such, other than rhetoric at campaign time.
Following the failure of Bush's effort for "sweeping" immigration reform, it seems to me that I remember the Bush administration supporting a program, or two, that was passed to greatly increase illegal deportations, along with increased border security. It passed and was funded. Started up, I'd suspect in around 2008.
I'd bet, then, that the program was really gearing up in 2009 - into 2010.
Now, of course, Obama's showed his true colors, and deportations are back down - I'm sure as a result of the administration's directions.
How in the world, the left - the MSM - has been so eager to tout the success of Bush era efforts, but only for the purpose of giving Obama the credit, while all the while they are, in concert, so solidly opposed to such programs . . .
Well, it's . . it's . . . well, I can't type that, can I?
(;~/ gary
Far be it from me, Gary...
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 9:36pm.
to post the numbers for the third time in three years. Boudin might have some sort of seizure.
Jer
Not at all,
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:49pm.
I welcome all the information I can get. In-fact, I believe I already suggested you should, yes, yes, I did?
Asking me why I stopped
Submitted by Jer on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:59pm.
Asking me why I stopped [something that seemed to you I was doing too often] is not an invitation to continue. But, like I said, you do have a tendency to exaggerate.
Jer
Ah, but then I gave you a clear invitation
Submitted by Boudin on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 11:06pm.
To educate us of his further accomplishments. And if you did not understand it then, then by all means please enlighten us.
Didn't DICK 'Turban' Durbin
Submitted by killa37 on Tue, 07/12/2011 - 10:13pm.
Didn't DICK 'Turban' Durbin have a bunch of illegal aliens up in Congress last week, and saying something to the effect that one of them may become our President someday????
Actually, I thought we allready had one.......................