Heinrich Calls for DREAM Act Plank in 2012 National Democratic Platform

Press Release

On a conference call with reporters today, U.S. Senate candidate Martin Heinrich called for the DREAM Act to be added to the 2012 Democratic National Convention Platform.

"DREAM Act students represent much of what's best about our nation: hard work, motivation, and a willingness to serve this country. The DREAM Act is good for our economy, our security, and our nation. And the DREAM Act is the type of fair, practical immigration policy that Americans are demanding. It's time to make the Dream a reality," said Heinrich during the conference call.

In a letter to Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy and Mayor Cory Booker, the co-chairs of the Democratic National Convention's Platform Committee, Heinrich said, "Now is the time for the party to formalize our commitment to the immigrant youth of America by adding adoption of the DREAM Act to its Democratic Convention Platform in 2012. This is the right thing to do for our party and the right thing to do for our country. We need these young men and women to succeed and we should not wait any longer to take action."

Heinrich is a co-sponsor of H.R. 1842, the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2011 (DREAM Act) to repeal the restriction against granting talented, law-abiding students from earning educational benefits and pursuing their dreams here in America. Heinrich's Republican opponent Heather Wilson refused to co-sponsor the DREAM Act three times during her 10 years in Congress and opposed President Obama's recent administration policy to stop deporting young illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.

Heinrich's proposed language for the platform is below:

"The Democratic Party appreciates the hard work and commitment immigrant families have brought to the United States throughout our history. Immigrants' children, brought to the United States as youth through no fault of their own, are being raised and educated as Americans today, to work and fight for the same dreams as every other American. We support the adoption of the DREAM Act to allow the undocumented children of immigrants to pursue the American dream by seeking a higher education or by serving in our armed forces, and applaud the decision of President Obama to grant deferred action to those children."

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