Contact:  Will Potter  (202) 822-7823

October 25, 2007

Senators Deny Educational Opportunities to Children of Immigrants

WASHINGTON—Members of Congress blocked legislation Wednesday that would have protected educational opportunities for children of immigrants who are undocumented, and helped them earn their citizenship if they attend college. The National Education Association said President Bush and lawmakers have failed students by closing doors to education in the name of partisan immigration politics.

The DREAM Act needed 60 votes to bring the issue up for a vote. It was defeated 52-44. The legislation would have authorized children of undocumented immigrants, who have lived in the United States for at least five years and who entered the country before age 16, to become citizens if they attend college.

The following can be attributed to Reg Weaver, NEA president:

“This could have been a win-win situation. Students would have had an added incentive to attend college and an added incentive to earn their citizenship. Everyone else would have benefited by having a more diverse, educated community. This was a promising approach that connected some of the most pressing issues of the day, immigration and education.

“It’s deeply disturbing that this sends such a clear message to the children of immigrants: you’re not good enough. Even if these children have lived here for years, even if they want to go to college and improve their lives, even if they want to legally become a citizen, some lawmakers still say that’s not good enough. Lawmakers should not be putting politics above the interests of young immigrants and society at large. The Bush administration’s immigration reform plan, which failed this year, had similar proposals and there’s no reason for the president to shy away from them now. We hope Congress will reconsider this vote. It would be tragic if Congress dimmed the lights on a generation of children and left them in the shadows.”

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.