Friday, June 19, 2009

San Gabriel pols push immigration reform for students

Politicians are trying to get the DREAM Act passed. - - Donna Poisl

By Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer

EL MONTE - A group of local politicians is trying to breathe life into an 8-year-old proposal that would allow undocumented immigrants who grew up in the United States to work toward citizenship.

The legislation, known as the DREAM Act, would create a path to citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants who came here before they were 16, have graduated high school in the United States or will attend college or join the military here.

"It's just not right to have somebody with that kind of promise, that kind of talent, and not give them the opportunity to be productive," Board of Equalization member Judy Chu said at a press conference in El Monte Friday while promoting the legislation.

Chu, the Democratic nominee for the 32nd Congressional district, her husband Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-El Monte, and others are pushing for Congress and President Barack Obama to put the DREAM Act on the front burner.

Chu and Eng reminded a crowd of mostly Asian journalists the legislation would benefit Asian Americans as well as Latinos.
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