Washington, D.C. – After Senate Republicans today voted to block the DREAM Act, legislation to give 50,000 to 65,000 young people who were brought to America by their parents access to an affordable college education, U.S. citizenship, and eligibility to serve in America’s armed forces, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement:
“Across this country, tens of thousands of innocent young people today had a chance at better opportunities and a better future, but Senate Republicans put their politics and ideology before the future of America, and before our national security.
“Current law unfairly punishes thousands of young people who grew up here and know only America as their home, and holds them back from making a contribution to our country’s military and economy.
“These young people deserve better. They deserve a chance at the American dream – to work hard, get a good education, serve in the military, earn their way to legal status, help grow our economy and keep our country safe. But today, they got gridlock and politics as usual from Congress.”