The Dream Act - a path to citizenship for some undocumented youth

Students throw their caps during a mock graduation ceremony at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

Even as President Obama cut a deal on taxes he was calling for Congress to vote on the Dream Act, a priority for his administration and many of its Latino supporters. If passed, the Dream Act would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth, brought here by their parents, who have shown a commitment to the country and to education. Proponents argue that having two paths to citizenship - college and the military - would allow talented youth to achieve their potential through education and boost military recruitment rates. Critics say it’s an open door to further illegal immigration. Will the White House win enough support for the bill to pass? What would the impact be?

Even as President Obama cut a deal on taxes he was calling for Congress to vote on the Dream Act, a priority for his administration and many of its Latino supporters. If passed, the Dream Act would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented youth, brought here by their parents, who have shown a commitment to the country and to education. Proponents argue that having two paths to citizenship - college and the military - would allow talented youth to achieve their potential through education and boost military recruitment rates. Critics say it’s an open door to further illegal immigration. Will the White House win enough support for the bill to pass? What would the impact be?

Guest:

Congressman Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus; senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means

Mark Krikorian, Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies

Leslie Berestein Rojas, who writes the Multi-American immigration blog for KPCC

Nancy Meza, a recent UCLA graduate from last summer who arrived here when she was two years old. The rest of her family has legal status but she has been unable to adjust hers, and remains undocumented. She’s been active in the efforts to campaign for the passage of the Dream Act.