Dream Act Poses Strict Requirements, Many Don't Qualify
The Dream Act of 2010 known as S.3992, was redrafted to narrowly restrict those who qualify. Many who fight for passage of Dream won't be able to use the law. Who qualifies and how does it work? The following guide will give you a good idea.
Long Term Path To Citizenship: The Dream Act grants a temporary status to qualified students giving them ten years to complete the requirements of the ACT or face deportation. The student starts with a new category "temporary non-immigrant status." After ten years, if the student has completed the terms of the Act, he can apply as a Permanent Resident. A few years after that, he can apply as a citizen.
New Temporary Status: Qualifying youths receive a temporary stay to remain in the U.S. for up to ten years to complete their education or military requirements under the Dream Act.
Background check: The immigrant student must pass a background check to prove good moral character. Drug dealers and even a DUI could prevent qualification.
Age Requirements: The student cannot be over the age of 30 when he applies under the law, which excludes many potential students.
Continual Presence: To become a permanent resident after ten years, the student must have spent all but 360 days within the U.S. during the ten year period. In order to qualify for the "temporary non-immigrant status" he will have to show that he has been in the U.S. for 5 years. This prevents “new” immigrants from applying under the law.
School Attendance: Students who are too young to go to college will have to regularly attend school until they obtain at least a GED. If they are expelled from school they will fall outside of the law and are subject to deportation.
College Degree: The Dream student has two choices. He or she may go to a college which offers an associate's degree or better. Mere attendance is not enough. The student will have to obtain a degree from that school, in addition to the GED or high school diploma.
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