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DREAM Act

United States legislation
Also known as: Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act(Show More)

Quick Summary

The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) was a proposed piece of U.S. legislation aimed at providing a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children. Key provisions typically included requirements such as entering the U.S. before age 16, residing in the U.S. for at least five years, demonstrating good moral character, and having a high school diploma or being enrolled in higher education.123

The DREAM Act has been introduced in various forms in Congress multiple times since 2001, often with bipartisan support, but has not successfully passed both houses. While the DREAM Act itself did not become law, the concept of providing legal status and protection from deportation for young undocumented immigrants influenced the creation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012.45

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