The move essentially cements Durbin’s grim forecast that the passage of any immigration reform measures before the year’s end is doubtful. A spokesperson for Sen. Durbin said the senator has made it clear that he is not daunted and plans to pursue avenues that encourage comprehensive immigration reform and related issues.     

Stephanie Niedringhause, spokesperson for Network, a Catholic lobby organization in Washington, described reasons that made the DREAM Act appealing. “This (was) our first opportunity to make a positive change in the immigration laws since the collapse of comprehensive immigration reform in July,” she noted. 

Sr. Sheila revealed that Durbin had expressed apprehension on the matter of comprehensive immigration reform any time in the near future. However, he was persistent in a press to forward the proposed DREAM Act, S2205. As proposed in an Oct. 24 hearing on the senate floor, the bill would provide a pathway to citizenship for young people in the United States illegally.

He cited testimony heard during congressional office visits about the difficulties of young people who had been brought over to this country at the age of 2 or 3, and, who upon reaching the threshold of adulthood, have been prohibited not only from seeking citizenship but also from thriving. Although they have spent practically their whole lives in this country and had completed their elementary and high school education here, they are restricted from advancing their education. Even though many have earned advanced educational degrees, they cannot work legally in this country because they lack citizenship.  

In the hours before the proposal was put to a test vote, President Bush issued a statement, calling the legislation inequitable because it bypasses regulations required for many legal immigrants in their application for citizenship.  To support for comprehensive immigration reform, visit http://www.immigrationforum.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=513