DREAM Act a Nightmare for American People

Washington, D.C. -- House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) issued the following statement regarding reports that House Democrats plan to force consideration of the DREAM Act tomorrow.  There have been no hearings on the bill in the 111th Congress and Members have yet to even see the text of the legislation. 

Ranking Member Smith:  “One month ago, the American people overwhelmingly rejected the big spending, big government policies of the Democratic-controlled Congress.  They told Congress to change course, to put the American people first, generate jobs and promote economic growth.  But before Democrats lose control of the House, they’re trying to pass one more piece of legislation that puts special interest groups above the American people.

“Tomorrow, House Democrats are considering bringing up the DREAM Act, a bill that could grant amnesty to more than two million illegal immigrants.  Democrats claim the bill only applies to an estimated 875,000 illegal immigrants, but this estimate is misleading.  Once amnesty recipients become citizens and turn 21, they can sponsor their illegal immigrant parents for legalization.  Allowing for this kind of chain migration will only encourage more illegal immigration, as parents will bring their children to the U.S. in hopes of receiving citizenship.

“Mass amnesty is not the only problem with the DREAM Act. The bill allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition at public universities, placing them ahead of U.S. citizens. 

“The bill also is a magnet for fraud. Many illegal immigrants will falsely claim that they arrived in the U.S. before age 16. Once an application is filed, no matter how fraudulent, the federal government is prohibited from deporting the applicant.  Meanwhile, they will be given work authorization to compete for jobs with the 14.5% of Americans under age 35 who are currently unemployed.  

“The American people want a strong and growing economy, not more competition for scarce jobs. The DREAM Act would hurt millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, are under-employed or are threatened with layoffs. 

“The DREAM Act subsidizes education for illegal immigrants, grants them mass amnesty, encourages more illegal immigration and inevitably takes jobs from American workers.  In short, the DREAM Act is a nightmare for the American people.”