The Senate today blocked the DREAM Act, a bill that would have given deserving immigrant youth a path to earned citizenship. Jorge Mursuli, national executive director of Democracia Ahora, said the following on today’s setback:

“The Senate’s failure to take action on DREAM is really troubling. The bill, which represents the future of countless hard working young men and women, deserved serious consideration. After failing to pass comprehensive immigration reform, senators had the chance to give the next generation of doctors, nurses and firefighters the opportunity to give back to the communities in which they were raised. Instead, 44 Senators voted against even taking this bill up.

“And so Congress seems likely to adjourn having done nothing to solve one of the greatest problems facing our nation. Our immigration system remains broken. And while they sit on their hands, local governments have tried to step in, passing divisive ordinances that have only escalated the chaos and made scapegoats of people who are only here to work and live the American Dream. It’s disheartening.

“But we’re not throwing in the towel – not when the future of our country is on the line. Democracia Ahora will continue to push for the legislation needed to fix our broken immigration system – whether it is comprehensive reform or individual pieces of legislation such as the DREAM Act. And Democracia USA, the sister program of Democracia Ahora, will continue to register, educate and motivate voters. We will continue to train new leaders. And we will continue engaging the Hispanic community in our democratic process.

“Change never comes as fast as we would like. We’re in it for the long haul.”

“Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson have represented Florida’s growing Hispanic constituency by supporting the DREAM Act. We want to thank them for their courage and leadership on this issue and hope to have their support as we continue to work for comprehensive immigration reform.”