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RESOLUTION URGING THE U.S. CONGRESS TO PASS THE DEVELOPMENT RELIEF AND EDUCATION FOR ALIEN MINORS (DREAM) ACT OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION

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WHEREAS, during the past two decades, the growth of the immigrant worker population has led to an increase in the number of undocumented children brought here by their parents; and
WHEREAS, many undocumented children speak English (as well as Spanish) and consider the United States their home and will remain here even though they do not have legal immigration status; and
WHEREAS, many undocumented children have worked their way through elementary and secondary school, often graduating from high school with honors, some as valedictorians of their senior classes; and
WHEREAS, the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, was first introduced in 2001, and has been re-introduced in each Congressional Session since then with growing bipartisan support each time; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act would allow undocumented children who are high school graduates legal residency for up to six years provided they have maintained good moral character and have been in the U.S. at least five years and since age 15 or younger; and
WHEREAS, during the six-year period, the student would be required to graduate from a two-year college, complete at least two years toward a four-year degree, or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years; and
WHEREAS, permanent residence would be granted at the end of the six-year period if the student has met these requirements and has continued to maintain good moral character; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act would also eliminate a federal provision that discourages states from providing instate tuition to their undocumented immigrant student residents, thus restoring full authority to the states to determine state college and university fees; and
WHEREAS, the DREAM Act was introduced earlier in 2006 in the House as the American Dream Act under the sponsorship of Representative Lincoln Diaz-Balart and cosponsored by Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act or similar legislation allowing undocumented alien children who have graduated from high school, maintained good moral character, and have been in the U.S. at least five years and since before the age of 16 the ability to legally attend a post-secondary college or university or serve in the military and eventually attain permanent legal residency.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the members of the Miami-Dade County Congressional Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's federal lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2007 Federal Legislative Package.