A merit-based point system in which “Dreamers” compete for a limited number of green cards is inappropriate and would be too long, costly and cumbersome, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) said of a House compromise immigration bill.
It’s especially true of “a system that potentially disadvantages associate degree and certificate holders vis a vis Dreamers with more advanced degrees,” AACC added.
The House is expected to vote June 22 on the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act (H.R. 6136), which would grant Dreamers contingent non-immigrant status with a subsequent path to citizenship. AACC joined other major higher education associations in a letter that expressed appreciation for congressional efforts to address this issue, but it noted that the resulting provisions fall short of a satisfactory solution for Dreamers.
“While the bill would provide immediate relief to many DACA-eligible people through contingent non-immigrant status, this must be paired with a straightforward path to citizenship,” AACC said in an analysis of the bill.
Community colleges support minimum requirements and the concept that earning citizenship may entail further education, work or military service, AACC said in its analysis. However, granting a path to citizenship to Dreamers “should be done mainly to reflect the reality of their situation: they grew up in this country, consider it their home, and make positive contributions to our society. They are citizens in every way but for their legal status.”
