Eligibility for the DREAM Act

To qualify for the DREAM Act, one would have to meet the following requirements:

1. Proof of that one arrived in the United States at the age of 15 or younger.
2. Proof of residence in the United States for at least five consecutive years since the date of arrival.
3. Must be between the age of 12 and 30 at the time of bill enactment
4. Graduated from an American high school, or received a GED.
5. Having a good moral character which is defined as a having no criminal record.

There are two versions of the requirements. In the Senate version, the person has to be under 30 years old on the date the DREAM Act is signed into a law. After the requirement, there are more steps to getting the permanent residence. One has to apply for conditional status if they are eligible; the conditional status allows the person to have six years of legal residence. During the six year period, the student would have to either, one graduate from a two-year college, complete at least two years toward a four-year degree, or serve in the U.S. military for at least two years.

Permanent Residency would be granted after the six-year period if the person has met the requirements above and continue to maintain good moral character. The House version of the DREAM Act, would also solve the obstacle of the IIRIRA with providing in-state tuition to undocumented students.[4] The House version of the DREAM Act is "to amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and to authorize the cancellation of removal and adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children, and for other purposes." [5]

 

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