Learning the Language

A task force of the Council on Foreign Relations just released recommendations for comprehensive immigration reform that endorse the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or "DREAM" Act. The press release for the task force's report says, "The DREAM Act, reintroduced in the 111th Congress, provides the right model by requiring that young people without status who wish to remain in the United States must attend college or perform military service and demonstrate good moral character in order to earn their eligibility for permanent residence."

While critics call the DREAM Act a form of "amnesty" for people who have broken this country's laws, the task force describes the act as "a policy of earned legalization." Undocumented students recently staged a mock graduation ceremony on Capitol Hill to push for passage of the DREAM Act in Congress.

Members of the bipartisan task force included former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, and former White House Chief of Staff Thomas "Mack" McLarty, who worked for President Bill Clinton.

In addition to backing the DREAM Act, the report supports a mandatory system for employers to verify that their workers are living legally in this country, border enforcement, and a more flexible system than the current one for bringing skilled workers into the country.

July 9 Update: Rural Migration News has published a pretty good overview of the status of possible action on comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Congress.

Photo credit: Christopher Powers/Education Week