Undocumented immigrant students attending the University of Texas at Austin took the risky step of coming out before news cameras today to announce their status and call for swift passage of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).
The DREAM Act would provide a six-year conditional path to citizenship for young people who qualify. They would need to complete a college degree or perform two years of military service.
Congress has wrangled over the legislation since it was first introduced in 2001. Supports of the act say high achieving young people who were brought the US by their parents deserve a chance at becoming contributing members of society. Critics counter that it would provide an incentive for people to enter the United States illegally.
Immigration activists who support the DREAM Act are holding rallies across Texas this week. Here are some of the people who attended today's in the West Campus Mall at UT-Austin.
