U.S. House passes “Dream Act” immigration bill

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. House of  Representatives approved a controversial measure yesterday  providing a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who came  to the United States before age 16.

The “Dream Act” passed by 216-198 after sometimes heated  debate. The Senate is scheduled to vote on Thursday on whether  to begin debate on a slightly different version of the bill. It  appears unlikely backers will win the 60 votes needed in the  100-member chamber to advance the measure.

The legislation would provide legal residency to  undocumented young people who graduate from high school,  complete two years of college or military service and have no  criminal record.

The measure is backed by President Barack Obama and  Hispanic activists, who have been disappointed by Democrats’  failure to deliver on Obama’s promise of comprehensive  immigration reform.

In a statement, Obama said, “This vote is not only the  right thing to do for a group of talented young people who seek  to serve a country they know as their own by continuing their  education or serving in the military, but it is the right thing  for the United States of America.

The bill is opposed by Republicans who slammed it as a  “nightmare act.”

“It is nothing more than mass amnesty that will undoubtedly  encourage millions more to illegally immigrate into our  country,” Republican Representative Dana Rohrabacher told the  House.
In his presidential campaign in 2008, Obama pledged to push  for an immigration overhaul, boosting border security and  offering steps to legal status for many of the nearly 11  million illegal immigrants living in the United States. His  administration and Congress have so far failed to agree on  comprehensive measures.