by TChris

High school students gathered on the White House lawn yesterday to stage a mock graduation ceremony. The students -- children of immigrants who haven't been legally admitted to the United States -- hoped to call attention to the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act, a proposed law that would allow such students to become permanent citizens after two years of college, trade school or military service.

"Under current law, these young people generally derive their immigration status solely from their parents," the National Immigration Law Center said in a statement, "and if their parents are undocumented or in immigration limbo, most have no mechanism to obtain legal residency even if they have lived most of their lives [in the U.S.]. The DREAM Act provides such a mechanism for those who are able to meet certain conditions."

The story of Marie Gonzales illustrates the need for this legislation.