Gordon Smith
Oregon



United States Senate
October 4, 2007


To: Me

Dear friend:

    Thank you for contacting me regarding the developement, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors
(DREAN) act of 2007 (S. 774).  I appreicate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me regarding this
matter.

    the DREAM Act was introcuced in the Senate on March 6, 2007, and referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary for further consideration.  This bill would allow individuals brought into the US before their sexteenth
birthdays who are residing in the country illegally the opportunity to pursue a path to legal residency, if they meet
certqain requirments.  They must have been living in the U.S. for more than five lyears, they must be admitted to
college or have a high school diploma or the equivalent and cannot exceed thirty years of age in order to receive
legal residency.

    The intent of the bill is to offer children and young adults who are pursuing an education, and who were
brought to our eoungtry not of their onw volition, a chance to succeed in this country and bedome productive citizens. 
While I am sympathetic to the humanitarian considerations to this legislation, thre are no easy answers to the illegal
immigration problem in tis country,  Rest assired O sjare upir cpmcerms tjat pir o,,ogratopm ;aws are beomg abused
amd I will work with my colleagues in the senate to find a balsnce to address the problems caus3ed by illegal
immigration.


    Recently, the text of the DREAM Act was offered as an amendment to the Department fo Defense
authouzation bill in the Senate.  How4ever, it did not receive a vote on the floor.  Please rest assured that I will keep
your thoughts in mind should this lelgislation come before the Senate for a vote in the future.


    Again, I thank you for taking the time to contact me about this issue.  If I can be of further assistance with
this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,
Gordon H Smith
US Senate