Nancy Pelosi: Pelosi Statement in support of Dream Act

July 5, 2007 -- San Francisco, CA - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in support of the DREAM Act:

Thank you for gathering today to raise your voices in support of the DREAM Act. I have long been a supporter of the DREAM Act and am proud to reaffirm my support. I promise to continue working toward its passage to ensure a meaningful path to legalization and affordable higher education for our nation’s immigrant students.

As undocumented students reach college age, they harbor the same dreams of continuing their education and contributing positively to our society as many other students do. These young adults had no choice in being brought to the U.S. at a young age, yet they face colleges and universities requiring documentation of legal status, prohibitively high tuition rates, and no chance of obtaining federal financial aid for higher education. They face a future filled with uncertainty, in which they are unlikely to work in professions for which they have trained, and are confronted with the specter of deportation at any moment.

I believe that our nation will be stronger if these determined young men and women are given the opportunity to continue their education and realize their full potential. Legislation such as the DREAM Act provides a clear path to legalization for these students and recognizes the immeasurable contributions immigrant families make to our country and our economy.

I salute the young people gathered here. My message to you today is, “know thy power,” because the inside maneuvering of Congress depends on your outside mobilization. Working together, we can create a bright future for young undocumented people and effect change for the common good.

Source: Speaker Nancy Pelosi