US Bishops praise progress of DREAM Act

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, coadjutor archbishop of Los Angeles and chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Migration, on Friday commended the House of Representatives for passing the DREAM Act on 8 December.

"I commend the House of Representatives for their courageous and historic vote to give undocumented young persons a chance to reach their full, God-given potential, through the DREAM Act," said Archbishop Gomez. The DREAM Act would provide a path to citizenship for young persons who were brought to the United States by their parents as children or infants.

Archbishop Gomez called on the US Senate to pass the House bill prior to adjournment for the year.

"We cannot let this moment pass. Our Senators must also pass this important legislation, so that it can be signed into law by the President as soon as possible."

In a procedural vote on Friday, the US Senate voted not to proceed to consideration of the Senate version of DREAM, leaving open the opportunity to vote on the House version this week. If the House bill is adopted by the Senate, it would be sent directly to the President for his signature.

"The DREAM Act would provide thousands of deserving young persons who desire to become Americans a fair opportunity to do so," concluded Archbishop Gomez. "This would not only benefit them, but our country as well. It is the right thing to do, for them and for our nation."

See also: US Bishops urge Congress to pass DREAM Act www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=17265