It's late April and Congress has just returned from recess to again take up the debate on immigration. Whether comprehensive immigration legislation does pass is uncertain. However, there is one bill which stands a good chance and is the beacon of hope for young people: the Dream Act, which would give undocumented teenagers a shot at a real future.

Like the characters in my book, undocumented teenagers have no real clear path to adulthood in America: in most states, they are ineligible for state scholarships or aid, and must pay out-of-state tuitions, which most undocumented families cannot afford. Even if they were to graduate from a university, their status still remains unclear. Every year, 65,000 undocumented teenagers graduate from high schools, unable to fulfill their promise as young people in America today.

To find out more about the Dream Act please go to:

http://www.saalt.org/pdfs/Immigrant_Youth_Dream.pdf