The American Legion to Senate: ‘DREAM Act Rewards Crime’

INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The National Commander of
The American Legion called on the U.S. Senate to stop the so-called DREAM Act
after the bill passed in the House of Representatives, 216-198, yesterday.

“Some people mistakenly believe that the DREAM Act would encourage military
service and the pursuit of college education,” National Commander Jimmie L.
Foster said. “Instead, it rewards illegal behavior. It says to those who are
trying to legallyenter our country, disregard the law and you will ultimately be
rewarded. It might be called the DREAM Act, but it’s really an amnesty
nightmare.”

A resolution passed by The American Legion’s National Executive Committee, or
board of directors, states, in part, “That The American Legion opposes
legislation that would result in the granting of amnesty and legal residency, in
any form or by any name, to illegal immigrants currently in the United States.”

The nation’s largest veterans service organization also opposes granting
financial aid or “in-state tuition rates,” to those who are here illegally. “The
United States has dwindling financial resources, as those in the veterans and
military communities are frequently reminded,” Foster said. “Why would we want
to spend those limited resources on educating people who have no legal right to
be in this country? The American Legion has a comprehensive immigration strategy
that can be found on our website, www.legion.org. That strategy begins with
securing our borders.”

Foster encourages members of The American Legion family and other like-minded
citizens to call their U.S. senators and urge them to vote “No,” on the DREAM
Act. The number to the Capitol Switchboard is 877-762-8762.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion
was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans
affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment
of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Media contacts:Washington: Marty Callaghan, 202-263-5758/202-215-8644;
Indianapolis: Joe March or John Raughter (317) 630-1253, cell (317) 748-1926 /
(317) 441-8847. A high resolution photo of National Commander Foster is
available atwww.legion.org.

SOURCE American Legion