Senate Delays DREAM Act Vote

CBS

Updated at 3:10 p.m. ET

The Senate today voted to delay debate on the DREAM Act, an immigration measure that would help undocumented young people gain a chance at earning legal status by joining the military or entering college.

Recognizing they could not win the 60 votes to break a Republican-led filibuster on their own version of the bill, Senate Democrats will now put the House version up for a vote next week.

Yesterday, the House passed its version of the legislation by a vote of 216 to 198, with eight Republicans joining Democrats to support the bill and more than three dozen Democrats voting against it.

The measure would impact hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the United States before the age of 16. It would also help Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid fulfill his promise to Latino voters to take up immigration reform this year.

President Obama yesterday praised the measure's success in the House.

"This vote is not only the right thing to do for a group of talented young people who seek to serve a country they know as their own by continuing their education or serving in the military, but it is the right thing for the United States of America," he said. "We are enriched by their talents and the success of their efforts will contribute to our nation's success and security."

The president also pointed out the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office found the DREAM Act would cut the deficit by $2.2 billion over the next 10 years.

Republicans have nevertheless voiced serious concerns over the bill. They point out, for instance, that the legislation doesn't require one to have a high school or college degree, and it also allows undocumented young people to be eligible to get on the pathway to citizenship even if they have one or two misdemeanor convictions on record.

"Americans want Congress to end the lawlessness," Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said on the Senate floor this week. "But this bill would have us surrender to it."

The DREAM Act has floated through Congress for years, but its chances for passage aren't likely to improve in the next Congress. Once Republicans take over the House next year and strengthen their ranks in the Senate, there is little chance for any kind of immigration reform.

Update: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin released a statement today saying they will ensure the DREAM Act becomes law by the end of the year.

"The DREAM Act is not a symbolic vote," they said. "We owe it to the young men and women whose lives will be affected by this bill, and to the country which needs their service in the military and their skills in building our economy, to honestly address this issue."

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Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. Follow Hotsheet on Facebook and Twitter.

[StopInvasion]

Children who grow up to commit the same crimes their parents commit are not innocent. They could also do the right thing and quit sucking the life out of American taxpayers and begging for more. They say how they want to "give" to America, but all I've seen is how they illegally "take" and are never satisfied. I for one am going to stop patronizing business who don't hire white or black Americans and plead with my representatives to try to save America from this massive onslaught of foreign criminals and freeloaders.

[StopInvasion]

With thousands of people illegally invading our country every day, determined to take our jobs and present overburdened taxpayers with more anchor babies to support, another amnesty may be the final nail in the coffin. As we fulfill the dreams of our foreign invaders, we destroy any hopes or dreams our own children might have had.

[lovehistory]

It is time for people to realize that illegal immigration does not take away jobs. Our own system has taken away jobs. Everything we buy is made in China, India, Indonesia, etc. Even the most American of the name brands such as Ralph Lauren, Fossil, and Calvin Klein among others are made somewhere else other than USA. I encourage you to take a look at the things you buy and need for everyday living and see where it is manufactured. The "illegal immigrants" are not taken jobs from citizens of this country. The people of this country have to understand that our own system has encouraged for manufacture owners to take away the jobs from this country. I will like to encourage everyone to do a simple research and look as far as the year 2000 to see how a lot of our factories have been taken overseas. Some of these articles that I have read say that the people from those countries are well educated and also speak English which is a plus and these two factors encourage the factory or industry owner to move to these countries.
Of course there are many, many other factors that influence the decision to move overseas. I think it will be wiser to take a look at our current system and work on encouraging the industries and factories to move back to the USA. I think it will take a great effort from our part to bring those industries back. We need to learn how to be "green", we have to learn how to work together and stop being racist and change our way of thinking. I will also like to point out that the land of the USA now was previously populated by Native Americans.
The Native Americans, as we called them now, did not have borders, they were truly free to work and hunt the land (hunting for food not for "fun"); these lands extended from what is USA now and what is Mexico now. They shared it with each other. It was not until the "discovery" of these beautiful lands that the people from other countries ungracefully decided that these lands were unrightfully theirs. Now lest keep in mind that these people from, Ireland, Italy, Germany, France, Britain, among others were fleeing from massacres, unfair treatment, misfortunes, freedom of religion, and the list can go on and on. All of these people who risked their lives on a boat ride for days and days were only looking to have freedom and were looking to flee from their misfortunes from their own country. I suspect that it only takes a little bit of brain work to realize that on the eyes of the natives the fact that their land was illegally taken, and worse forcefully taken with violence. And just because the natives did not have a "legal" system like those immigrants did; it does not mean that what the immigrants from back then did was right or legal. I truly hope that one day people can look and learn from history to make this Beautiful Country better.

[4allpeople]

All right everyone lets put our heads together. How can we stay positive? What can we do to benefit our lives and the lives of our neighbors? I've never been to Mexico or any other country. I'm sure the quality of life is not up to par with the quality of life here for most Americans. That's why people of all nations flock here. I wonder whats it's like to walk in the shoes of that immigrant you is walking across the hot dessert to get here. Scared to get caught, scared of nature, scared that they may never see their families again. That immigrant who is risking it all for a better chance of survival. Isn't that what we do on a daily basis? Everyone, trying to survive. America treats illegals bad. We call them names, we practically steal their labor, and we blame them for our financial problems. What's funny is that I know alot of illegals who pay taxes illegally. They pay taxes but don't get any Federal assistance. Now, there is something to think about. Why would America let illegals stay here and pay taxes illegally? Why hasn't America deported every single illegal? The reason is because they contribute. They contribute but don't qualify for the same freedoms. I'm American and I'm ashamed. We treat illegals bad and they want to stay. That has to say something about where they come from.

[animaltoo]

It says more about the gravy train they've found here that is costing American taxpayers $113 Billion, and rising, annually.

[trustprincess]

Let me refresh your memory and give you a little history lesson PIBBLES and all the other racist people who have given their ignorant points of views in here. First of all there is small percentage of people that are rich in this country and they basically control everything, I like to call them capitalist, now their ancestors years ago invented slavery. DO YOU PEOPLE REMEMBER HOW AFRICANS WERE BROUGHT TO THIS COUNTRY? They were brought against their will so they can perform free labor. Later slavery was abolished because I guess AMERICANS realized how inhumane that was. However capitalist and basically most white AMERICANS continued to treat these people with hatred and as their inferiors and even after the Civil Rights movements some people I mean a lot of people are still racist towards them. Anyway, so what does this have to do with us ILLEGALS like some of you like to call us, well the rich people figure out a way to continue slavery without calling it slavery. They decided to encourage ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TO THE UNITED STATES SO THE CAN GET CHEAP LABOR, IS NOT FREE BUT IS CHEAP BETTER THAN DEALING WITH ANNOYING NAGGING AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO WANT BENEFITS IN RETURN FOR THEIR LABOR. I mean really think about it why would we want to leave our beautiful countries which are rich in resources and cultural values. WHY?? ? BECAUSE RICH AMERICANS HAVE BUILT SWEATSHOPS NEAR OUR HOMES POLLUTING OUR AIR OUR WATER KILLING OUR PEOPLE!!!! BECAUSE RICH AMERICANS ARE THE LEADERS OF ALL THOSE DRUG CARTELS THAT THREATEN AND KILL OUR PEOPLE!!! Now can you people connect the dots, they destroy our countries to make themselves RICHER AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO ILLEGALLY CROSS THE BOARDER!!! You want us out of the US then make your government leaders make the RICH AMERICANS CLEAN UP THEIR MESS FROM OUR HOMES!!!!! AND TO GIVE US BACK THE LAND THEY STOLE FROM US MEXICANS!!!then we'll gladly go back but if you cant give us that then there is NO DEAL!!! WE ARE VICTIMS DON'T YOU PEOPLE SEE V-I-C-T-I-M-S !!!! OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!! READ MORE FIND OUT THE REAL DEAL AND THEN COME AND TELL ME IF I AM REALLY A CRIMINAL

[Pibbles]

Rant on, chunky princess, perhaps you should spend as much time becoming a LEGAL CITIZEN as you do whining about being a poor widdle victim. Sounds like you need counseling for your inferiority complex. As a mixed-race person, please explain how I am a racist because I am against an act that encourages more people to invade this country to be rewarded for their ILLEGAL ENTRY. Boohoo about "rich people polluting your country," they pollute this country too. Rather than playing the victim, IMMIGRATE LEGALLY like MILLIONS of law-abiding people from all over the world have done. I have friends from several countries, thankfully they had the integrity to put in the time to immigrate here legally. Save your "no deal" comment, little girl, you have no right to be here in the first place.

[animaltoo]

Let's face it, you don't want land. You have plenty of land on your side of the border. What you want is the $113 Billion that we are spending on you through our health departments (prenatal care and WIC services to scratch the surface), emergency rooms, schools, public housing. Even Obama's illegal Kenyan aunt was getting a monthly cash allowance. She was asked how she got welfare as an illegal alien; her answer was that this is a free country.

[strikerF2]

Here comes the sell out,Amnesty by any other means is still amnesty for illegals.How much will this cost the tax payers is the real question why is that not being discussed?

[realamericandream]

It is unbelievable the ignorance of this people.
American was founded by immigrants...it is the land of opportunities, justice and equal rights for all..but unfortunately some people have let their ego and ignorance blind them.
THE DREAM ACT, is about giving the chance to young people who were brought here without their consent, they are have NOT FAULT of their own.
It is about giving them a chance to give back to this country, THEIR ONLY COUNTRY, by serving in the Military or going to college and have a profession. They are brilliant students, talented people who want to become lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc. someone productive in this country, this is the kind of people America needs, we all need.
Make them pay for their parents mistake?...sure, why not?
It's like saying...."Your father kill his neighbor,he flees, instead you will serve his time in jail"...Can't you see how that is wrong in so many levels?
There is already and Ab540 Law who allow undocumented students go to college if they graduated from an American High school, that was 10 years ago...this students would only be allowed to pay tuition like everyone else in this country, but they couldn't be recipients any financial aid. Many of them didn't have the support of their own family,but they kept fighting for their dreams... they paid their entire education with their own sweat, money, and work......thousand of them have graduated already..and many of them when even further to get a Masters and PHDs.They are biologist, teachers, engineers...all talented deserving Americans whose talents are being wasted for the lack of SS#.
This kids are more Americans than those who called themselves "citizens" and have done nothing for this country other than complaint.
I'm a legal immigrant in this country...I was blessed by having the chance an means to become so, but unfortunately the current immigration law does not offer that same chance to these people...that hopefully will change.
AMERICA, I STILL BELIEVE IN YOU
WE ALL BELIEVE IN YOU..THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

[strikerF2]

Just what about illegal do you not understand? Immigrates who came legally settled this country not the illegal ones. You bedwetters can not be that dumb,can you?

[animaltoo]

This is not their only country! They have a country where they are legal citizens!

[yummyyami]

First of all, the article is flawed. The DREAM ACT REQUIRES a high-school diploma a GED and the individuals must not have any felonies or convictions. There is very strict criteria in order to qualify for the DREAM ACT.
Is time to wake up AMERICA! the "supposely" land of opportunity. Students need to be enrolled in college in order to prevent crime. We can not continue to invest in grade school and continue to teach undocumented students that they can achive the American Dream.
This dream is only accessed through legalization and education.
If the DREAM ACT is passed, millions of students will be able to contribute to the economy and give back to our communities with the aquisition of a degree.
This legislation is a smart choice because it is estimated that it will bring down the deflicit by 2.2 billion! So see its not about all the sentiments that go into it. Its time to open the doors to education for the overall benefit of the country.

[animaltoo]

So, we need to give them more than they have already stolen to protect ourselves from their criminality if they don't get a college education? That is extortion. No, they need to go where they are citizens and contribute to making that country as great as they want to make this one.

[tsigili]

The Senate should reject the Dream Act, without taking a vote.....it amounts to giving the US to Mexico.

[skepticalJM]

Again the Army of Obama takes presidency over the welfare of the citizens of the USA. Encourage illegal immigration, after all what comes first: the benefit of cheap labor, or the welfare of our disadvantaged youth and elderly? This bill and our politicians are an insult to the Nation. They are the turncoats, not the heroes, and patriots the Wikileakers are! This is what comes from the wrong kind of freedom; the freedom for the financial parasites to prey on their own!