The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (recently set aside in Congress) would allow for qualified undocumented youth a six-year conditional path to citizenship upon the completion of two years of higher education or two years of military service. 

The issue of undocumented workers has become heated throughout the country and particularly in Oklahoma because of house bill 1804.  Complaints and headlines regarding undocumented immigrants have recently come to attention through comedian and talk show host, Steven Colbert, using his celebrity before Congress seen here to anti-immigrant talk show host and former CNN contributor, Lou Dobbs's recent alleged employment of undocumented workers seen here.

Much hype has been brought to such a sensitive issue, but I ask where are the solutions?  In our office, we see clients that need representation because of removal and deportation hearings and from our view, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement seem to be more aggressive than ever. 

The DREAM Act attempts to relieve some of the tensions that exist in a nation that is now increasing growing in percentage (numbers of undocumented members are not necessarily included) by offering an alternative to undocumented status in this country to children of immigrants that enter this country (usually through no fault of their own) and desire to serve our country or strive to educate themselves in exchange for legal permanent residency.  

The DREAM Act seems to be a solution to ensuring we have a documented thriving and educated workforce in the future, but we will have to wait to see what Congress does with this legislation in the future. Till then, if you or anyone you know has an immigration question or need, please do not hesitate to contact us here.