More than nine-in-ten (91%) Latinos support the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, a proposal to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrant children if they attend college or serve in the U.S. military for two years.
According to a survey by the Pew Hispanic Center in late 2011, differences by nativity are slim. Fully 87% of native-born Latinos and 94% of foreign-born Latinos support such a law. Latinos who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents show the most support for the law (96%).
Last month, President Obama announced changes in deportation policies that would allow more young people brought to this country illegally by their parents to avoid deportation if they meet certain requirements. An analysis by the Pew Hispanic Center found that up to 1.4 million children and young adults in the United States could potentially benefit from the policy change.
That estimate includes 700,000 unauthorized immigrants who are ages 18 to 30 but arrived in the U.S as children and are currently enrolled in school or have graduated from high school; and an additional 700,000 who are under the age of 18 and are enrolled in school. This includes 150,000 who are currently enrolled in high school. Read More