Education Secretary urges DREAM Act passage

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan called on Congress today to approve the DREAM Act saying it would provide 55,000 young people an opportunity to improve their lives and the nation's economy.

Duncan spoke to reporters a day after Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urged Republicans to support a stand-alone version of the DREAM Act now that “the political season is over.”

The bill would provide a path to citizenship for young people who, as children, were brought into the country by their parents. As they go down that path, they would be required to either serve in the military or attend college.

“There is a real moment of opportunity for us to do the right thing for young people,” Duncan said. “I would urge Congress to act and act in a bipartisan way.”

About 55,000 young people would have an opportunity to go to college under the bill, Duncan said.

Duncan also praised Reid and Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., for their efforts to pass the DREAM Act.

“Leader Reid has worked very, very hard on this,” Duncan said.

Reid won re-election earlier this month and carried the vast majority of Hispanic votes in Nevada, according to exit polls.