MEDIA RELEASES

Senator Inouye’s comments following the Senate’s failure to advance the DREAM Act

Senator Dan Inouye

WASHINGTON Senator Daniel K. Inouye issued the following statement today after 41 Senators voted against bringing the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act to the floor for a vote.

“It is both unfortunate and ironic that on the same day a historic blow was struck for those opposed to discrimination of any kind, the Senate failed yet again to advance a measure that would have outlined a path to legal residency for immigrant children brought to this country by their parents.

The DREAM Act has been around in some form for a decade, and Senator Durbin has bravely fought for it against long odds. But despite House approval the Senate today was unable to agree that children under the age of 16 brought to this country by their parents should be granted legal residency if they remain in the country for five years and either attend college or serve in the military.

There are an estimated 1.2 million people living in America who are eligible to participate in this program. The comprehensive immigration reform we claim we want in this country will not occur if we do not allow for the basic education of children and if we do not nurture the patriotic spirit of those brave enough to put on the uniform and fight for this country. I was once labeled an enemy Alien by this country but we petitioned the government to allow us to fight and by the end of World War II the 442 Regimental Combat team had suffered the most casualties in the European campaign but was also the most decorated unit of its size in the history of the United States military.

By allowing the DREAM Act to sit idle, we extinguish hope for a lot of people and deny too many the opportunity I was given.”

Akaka expresses disappointment in DREAM Act obstruction

Senator Daniel K. Akaka

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka issued the following statement after the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act was blocked from receiving an up-or-down vote by 41 members of the Senate.

“I am disappointed that some of my colleagues chose to block this legislation. The DREAM Act would have provided children who were brought to this nation by their parents with an opportunity to earn a path to the American dream by serving in the military or getting a college education.

“These young adults are not lawbreakers. Their undocumented status is no fault of their own. Yet a minority of my colleagues used a procedural rule to continue to punish them for their parents’ decisions.”