Subject: [big campaign] NEA President urges Congress to pass the DREAM Act
From: <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 10:48:28 -0500
List-Id: <bigcampaign.googlegroups.com>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CONTACT:
Miguel A. Gonzalez

December 8, 2010
(202) 822-7823, [email-masked]

NEA President urges Congress to pass the DREAM Act

Education remains the key to economic security and prosperity for all
students

WASHINGTON-NEA President Dennis Van Roekel today urged Congress to pass
the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act,
which would provide a path to legal status for young people whose
parents brought them to the United States as undocumented children years
ago. 

Each year, thousands of these students graduate from U.S. high schools.
Among these students, with whom NEA members work every day, are class
valedictorians, straight-A students, and idealistic youth committed to
bettering their communities. Yet, because of enormous barriers created
by their lack of legal status, many such students are unable to pursue
higher education or serve in the military. The loss to these students,
and to society as a whole, is significant.

The bill would have significant fiscal benefits for states and local
communities. For example, a 30-year-old immigrant who graduates from
college would pay $5,300 more in taxes and cost $3,900 less in
government expenses each year than if she had dropped out of high
school. State and local taxpayers, who have already invested in the
education of these children in elementary and secondary school, could
benefit from that investment through the DREAM Act.  In addition, the
bill would help promote the skilled workforce necessary for our nation
to compete globally.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Dennis Van
Roekel: 

"The DREAM Act is a resounding affirmation that education remains the
key to economic security and prosperity for all students.

"But under the current, outdated immigration system, undocumented
children of immigrants who grew up in this country and who call America
home are being deprived of such opportunities.

"We believe this legislation is a fair, practical solution that upholds
the best of our shared values of fairness, accountability and a strong
work ethic. 

"We urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act to allow these students to
achieve their dreams and to continue contributing to their communities
and society." 

Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NEAmedia

# # #

The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional
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.

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