Sen. Sessions Urges Fellow Senators to Oppose the DREAM Act

December 2, 2010

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), who also serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed a letter to his Senate colleagues urging them to oppose the DREAM Act. In his letter, Sen. Sessions criticized the Leadership's decision to bypass committee markup of several different versions of the bill and their unwillingness to have the costs of the bill scored by the Congressional Budget Office.

Not one of these bills has been reviewed by the Judiciary Committee, nor have Senators been provided with a CBO score. This shell game makes it nearly impossible for members of this body, and their constituents, to properly review and consider the legislation prior to a vote. It is an abuse of the process and on that basis alone members ought to oppose cloture.

-- Sen. Jeff Sessions letter dated Dec. 2, 2010

Sen. Sessions also discussed the weaknesses of the DREAM Act by highlighting:

the ability for individuals who qualify for the DREAM Act to sponsor their family members for LPR status once they themselves have received LPR status;
individuals with criminal histories can qualify for the DREAM Act amnesty, and the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to waive eligibility requirements;
DREAM Act applicants receive an immediate stay of removal proceedings, creating a safe harbor for illegal aliens facing deportation; and
DREAM Act applicants don't need to complete college or fulfill their military service in order to receive LPR status.

For more information, see Sen. Sessions website.