Mayor, Community Leaders Push for Passage of DREAM Act

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act would provide a path to citizenship for children who were brought to this country illegally before they were 16 and then lived here continuously for five years. Even then, citizenship would be only temporary. They'd have six years to complete two years of college or two years of military service. The DREAM Act used to be a bipartisan proposal, but, in the absence of immigration reform, some supporters from both parties have reversed their positions. Now it's become a political football. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada attached the DREAM Act to the Defense Appropriations Bill. At LA City Hall today, Mayor Villaraigosa, AFL-CIO leader Maria Elena Durazo, immigrants' rights groups and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce all urged passage.