Speech #1090118604

Finally. I say to States across America that you decide how to treat these students. Many States like my own have already decided. but you decide whether these undocumented students will be eligible for instate tuition or outofState. which is more expensive. But each State makes the decision. That is a change in the Federal law. but it is a change that States can make without a Federal penalty. I received a letter of support for the DREAM Act from a group of Americans who lost loved ones in the September 11 terrorist attacks. Here is what they wrote me: We will all be safer if we unite against terrorists. and if our immigration system can be made more rational and reflective of our values as a Nation. President Bush said the other day some words that I think are worthy of repeating on the floor of the Senate. He said: It is true that we are a Nation of laws. but we are also a welcoming Nation. We are a Nation of immigrants. I stand before this body. as I have said many times. so proud of the fact that my grandmother and grandfather had the courage to pick up and leave a tiny little village in Lithuania in 1911. My grandmother picked up my mom. a 2yearold infant. and brought her and my aunt and uncles on a boat from Germany to Baltimore.