Carly Fiorina Supports DREAM Act, but Says She's Against "Amnesty"

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Campaign 2010 ,; Domestic Issues

(Credit: AP)

California's Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorina said last night that she would support the DREAM Act, an immigration measure that aims to help undocumented students. Her remarks set her apart from more conservative Republican candidates this year who are taking a hard line on immigration. They also highlighted the limited bipartisan support the DREAM Act has received, even as comprehensive immigration reform appears out of reach.

In her first debate last night against Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer, Fiorina said, "I would support the DREAM Act because I do not believe that we can punish children who through no fault of their own are here trying to live the American dream."

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented students who came to the United States as minors and meet other certain criteria. The bill was crafted by Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois and Republican Sen. Dick Lugar of Indiana. Boxer and dozens of other senators have signed on as co-sponsors.

Boxer emphasized last night that she is in favor of comprehensive immigration reform.

"The way to get the economy going again is to go with comprehensive immigration reform," she said. "The DREAM Act is part of that."

Boxer said that Fiorina has called comprehensive reform a "distraction."

Fiorina, meanwhile, said she does not support "amnesty" and said the federal government has "not done its job" securing the border. She also voiced her support for Arizona's controversial new immigration law, which makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.

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Some Republicans have used their hard stance on immigration as a rallying point in this year's election, while at least one candidate, Nevada's Sharron Angle, has associated the DREAM Act with amnesty.

Fiorina kept the issues separate, however.

"I believe that the 21st century is the century of brainpower and innovation," she said. "We need to cultivate all the brainpower we can by making sure that people are well educated here."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said at a liberal conference this summer that he will not put the DREAM Act up for a vote until it has the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate.

Fiorina has reached out to California's Latino voters with a website called "Amigos de Carly" (Friends of Carly). Additionally, the Latino Partnership for Conservative Principles, an organization of conservative Hispanics, has dedicated $1 million to supporting Fiorina's campaign.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by PaulfromFountain December 9, 2010 9:24 AM EST: The DREAM Act is un-Constitutional, it's illegal. I don't mind having new immigrants come to this country, but illegals I mind very VERY much. They need to go, regardless of where or how long ago they were born, every one of them needs to go, period. I don't care if you say that I'm wrong about them destroying our nation -though I am not-, overloading many of the functions this nation created for Americans, not illegals -if $1 Billion in medical bills for illegals isn't enough to convince you, then you're delusional-, or that they're taking American jobs because we're too lazy to do them ourselves -which is a bald-faced lie-, or if you want to call me a hater -which also is not the case-, but they NEED to go.

How is the government intending to track these people if the DREAM Act passes; the answer is they can't, they won't be able to. If they're expecting these illegals to do the right thing, they're delusional, as is anyone else who believes the same.

How many of you have read the bill? It's so laden with pork and BS that making these illegals legal is no longer a real issue in the bill, only icing on the cake.

Americans, you HAVE to wake up! This is bad for America, destroys further the sovereignty we're supposed to have, and for Americans. Get rid of the illegals and solve the problem of this recession the experts -stupid as they are- say we're no longer in! Stop believing outright, and begin questioning instead, your government; what's wrong with you?!; Reply to this comment


by ism3c September 15, 2010 9:37 PM EDT: Such a misleading article. But at least I am glad some Republicans don?t buy it and actually ask real question.
I am an illegal youth and you owe me nothing. In fact, we want this bill to pass to prove to you we want to help the American citizen. It would take a decade to actually become a citizen, and many people will be filtered out. Because they will register for the Dream Act, they will be deported if they do not pass the tests. Many of us are actually moderate in ideology. But we find ourselves being defending by liberals. I can tell you that even if you kick me out of what I believe to be my homeland, I would still support the deportation of other illegals. You don?t know the illegal experience, I do. Out of the 12 million illegals only a few hundred thousand are actually Dream act Americans. The rest of the people have abused the country by feeding from their US born children, without ever learning the language, culture or surrender to the flag. Some even say we would send money to Mexico but what you don?t get is that in our minds we are Americans and have no interest in Mexico or our country of birth. Maybe* Einstein can explain to you that sometimes perception is more important than say being born in Panama like McCain.; Reply to this comment


by GuyInAZ September 11, 2010 11:59 PM EDT: I believe the Dream Act is very reasonable. For those posting negative things about it I have read most and well pretty much all of them are defending their argument with INCORRECT FACTS =)I HOPE THE DREAM ACT PASSES!; Reply to this comment


by ism3x September 8, 2010 3:44 AM EDT: You know how I can tell you're a hypocrite bigot? When you say you don't want your money to be given away, but the military spends what it pleases according the will of wars and conflict. Such dull minds and their scapegoat issues!; Reply to this comment


by get_involved September 6, 2010 5:17 PM EDT: Get involved with a MILLION other people. HERE"S HOW: http://www.numbersusa.com/content/action.html; Reply to this comment


by jlg0505 September 6, 2010 3:03 AM EDT: What's ridiculous is the fact that people make such ignorant observations about these matters. Most immigrants, although they work in America illegally, do pay taxes. Many of these students have been in America since before they could even walk, so to them, they are Americans despite the fact that people tell them otherwise. By going to a college and wanting to receive financial aid to afford it is the right they have earned by making an attempt to being productive members of society.; Reply to this comment

by DonMhere September 2, 2010 6:23 PM EDT

Immigration Reform? What exactly needs to be reformed. We've never enforced the current immigration laws. And if reformed, it's meaningless if it's not enforced. It's all talk and no action. Just like it's always been with Boxer. Her propaganda when originally elected to office "I have a plan". Evidently most people thought she did, but history tells us something different. She's done virtually NOTHING during her many years in office other than shoot her face off and belittle others for not recognizing how important she is. Based on her record, that all important PLAN she had either failed, didn't really exist, or the plan was in fact, to do nothing. How we can entrust the management of our nations financing to a person who can't even balance her own check book and avoid writing bad checks (which she is notorious for) is beyond me. But it does explain why our nation is in the financial condition it's in.

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by 34sender September 2, 2010 8:34 PM EDT: We have most definitely enforced Immigration laws. Just saying that we have NEVER done so shows what a total numbskill you are ... and then you use the same absolutely incorrect hyperbole regarding Boxer's record.

I guess you would support Fiorina. Too bad she is not going to win in a state where people don't like petty crap to get in the way of more imporetant issues.

Boxer will still be D-CA six years from now... bank on it.

by toby3061 September 2, 2010 2:42 PM EDT

Fioria just lost my vote!

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by nomorelibs September 2, 2010 3:39 PM EDT: So you will throw away a vote over 1 issue. That makes sense. You do realize her opponent supports it also, don't you? Do you agree with Boxer on more issues? Come on, get a clue.