July 9, 2010

Study finds majority of Americans support DREAM Act

According to a new survey 70 percent of Americans support the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), proposed federal legislation that would provide undocumented students brought to the United States as children with the opportunity to earn permanent legal status upon meeting certain requirements.

The survey, released by First Focus, on June 29, 2010, shows a notable increase in support compared to a similar 2004 poll that placed public support at 58 percent. The survey also found that 80 percent of Democrats and 60 percent of Republicans favor the legislation.

“With this new evidence of overwhelming bipartisan grass-roots support for the DREAM Act, we’ll be redoubling our efforts to urge Congress to pass the legislation before their August recess,” said Antonio R. Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).  

Last month, Flores and leaders of 24 other national organizations announced the formation of the “Act on the DREAM” Coalition and are strongly urging supporters to contact their members of Congress via the Coalition’s Web site, www.actonthedream.org, to request support for immediate passage of the DREAM Act.

First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. To access a fact sheet that provides an overview of the results from the latest public opinion survey, click here (PDF).