The DREAM Act

Each year, approximately 65,000 immigrant youth in the United States are unable to pursue their dream of attending college because they lack legal immigration status. Many were brought to the United States as young children and have excelled academically, graduating from high school as honor students. 

The DREAM Act would open a path to higher education and legal citizenship for eligible immigrants. Eligible students would receive the right to reside in the United States for 6 years. If they show progress in their education during that time, they would be eligible to become permanent citizens.

The bill provides another path to citizenship - military service.  Although  respectful of another’s choice to serve in the armed forces, MCC believes that military recruiters sometimes pressure and even mislead potential recruits, especially disadvantaged youth.  The DREAM Act should not become a tool for unscrupulous recruitment. 

As a service-based organization, MCC would like to see humanitarian service, through national service programs like Americorps and Peace Corps, added to the DREAM Act as an alternative to military and educational paths to citizenship.

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