Gallego Celebrates Reintroduction of the Dream Act

WASHINGTON - Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) backed the bipartisan reintroduction of the Dream Act to give millions of young immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as kids the chance to earn U.S. citizenship.

"The more than 3.4 million Dreamers in this country were brought here as children, grew up in our neighborhoods, went to our schools, and have spent their whole lives calling America home. These young people are American in every way except on paper. It's long past time we recognize them as full citizens," said Senator Gallego. "I'm proud to join my colleagues to push forward the Dream Act and finally give Dreamers the security and certainty of belonging in the only country they've ever known."

The bipartisan legislation, reintroduced by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), would allow noncitizens without lawful status who were brought to the United States as children and meet certain education, military service, or work requirements to earn lawful permanent residence. These young people, known as Dreamers, have lived in America since they were children, built their lives here, and are American in every way except for their immigration status. However, under current law there is often no chance for them to ever become citizens and fulfill their potential.

The Dream Act was first introduced in 2001 and has been reintroduced every Congress since.

Senator Gallego has consistently stood up for Dreamers in the Senate:

• In May, he introduced a plan to address the broken state of America's border and immigration system. Pillar four of the plan emphasizes providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and long-term undocumented residents who contribute to our communities.
• In June, Gallego joined 40 Senate colleagues in urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to resume processing DACA applications nearly three months after a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that limited a nationwide injunction to Texas.
• In July, Gallego reintroduced the Fight for the American Dream Act, which allows DACA participants to serve in the United States military and provides them a pathway toward U.S. citizenship after their service.
• In September, he demanded answers from DHS on the agency's targeting and arrest of Dreamers.

12/5/25