Student Adjustment Bill Offers Students a Chance, Gives U.S. Companies Access to Untapped Talent  

Posted on AILA InfoNet at Doc. No. 03050540 (May 5, 2003)

       On April 9, Representatives Chris Cannon (R-UT), Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) introduced the Student Adjustment Act of 2003 (H.R. 1684). This bipartisan legislation will allow immigrant students who have grown up in this country, graduated from high school, and have no criminal record, to go to college, legalize their immigration status and obtain work authorization. This bill would help a new group of well-educated young professionals enter the job market and put their hard-earned talent to use.

       H.R. 1684 recognizes the reality that some of our best and brightest students are prevented from reaching their potential because they were brought across the border as young children.  Without proper immigration status or the option of in-state tuition, these students cannot work and do not have a chance to attend college.  Without the ability to regularize their status or earn a college degree, these hard-working, bright students are unable to join the work force and U.S. companies are denied access to an untapped pool of talent. 

       The vast majority of these children were brought here by their parents at an age when they had no say in the matter.  These children have managed to succeed against all odds and are important members of communities across this nation.  They include class valedictorians, straight-A students, and others headed in the right direction. 

       At this time, the following Republicans have co-sponsored the Student Adjustment Act:  Henry Bonilla (R-TX), Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), David Dreier (R-CA), Melissa Hart (R-PA), Peter King (R-NY), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Rick Renzi (R-AZ), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chris Shays (R-CT), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), Heather Wilson (R-NM), Jerry Weller (R-IL). House Democrats sponsoring the bill include: Calvin Dooley (D-CA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) Jim Matheson (D-UT), Michael McNulty (D-NY), George Miller (D-CA), Ed Pastor (D-AZ), Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Hilda Solis (D-CA), and David Wu (D-OR).