Dream Immigration Forum Draws Supporters and Protest

Senators Tom Harkin and Dick Durbin brought a panel of people interested in moving the current Senate immigration bill forward to Ames for a Dream Immigration Forum Friday.

The bill that would allow residents living here illegally a path to citizenship passed in the Senate and is awaiting passage in the House of Representatives. Durbin said he asked Harkin to come to Ames to talk about the bill after hearing Congressman Steve King characterize some residents living here illegally as “drug smugglers.”

Harkin said during the forum at Ames Middle School Friday that he thought that the Senate bill would pass in the House if it were brought to the floor with a vote.

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The Senate plan would allow these people to earn a temporary status that allows them to work if they meet a number of requirements including: passing background checks, submitting to fingerprinting and proving they've lived here since Dec. 31, 2011. It also includes an e-verification program to prevent illegal residents from working and would increase border security. The number of border patrol agents would jump from 20,000 to 40,000 Durbin said.

“This bill is not an easy powder puff bill,” Durbin said.

Panelists included two young Latino men, who were living in the country illegally, but have been granted a deferred status, as well as Nick Harrington, UFCW Local 222 representative of Iowa, who has worked in meatpacking plants.

“It will improve the standards for all workers and end the exploitation of any worker,” Harrington said.

Ames Resident Jim Gaunt said he is offended by people who are not in favor of the bill's passage, because nearly everyone in America is a descendant of an immigrant.

"I'm very offended by people whose ancestors got in the door and want to slam it," Gaunt said.

Outside, people including Constance Strait, of Dysart, held signs in protest.

She said 20 million people were unemployed and said that residents living here illegally were partially to blame.

“I believe illegals in our country are stealing our jobs,” Strait said.