Washington, DC - Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Secretary-Treasurer Eliseo Medina released the following statement after Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) filed cloture to begin debate on the DREAM Act.

After last week's historic House vote on the DREAM Act, all eyes turned to the Senate. Hundreds of thousands of supporters flooded the Senate with calls, letters, emails and visits urging their Senators to pass the DREAM Act. Hundreds more have held rallies, vigils and hunger strikes to push their Senators to keep the dreams of thousands of young people alive.

"Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate will finally have the chance to seal the deal on the DREAM Act. Our Senators have the opportunity to rise above the cynicism and pettiness of partisanship to solve a serious immigration problem and stand up for America's greatest values of justice and opportunity. Will they put common sense and pragmatism above intolerance and partisanship?

"This is not just another Senate vote. Passage of the DREAM Act will transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of deserving young people. It is an issue that resonates deeply in immigrant and Latino communities. And in the hearts of all Americans who care about fairness and equality. In the minds of millions, tomorrow's vote will define the character of their Senators and will become part of the legacy of their service.

"We will be watching closely to see which Senators choose to rise above the deadening partisanship in Washington. We will be watching closely to see who will be "dream killers" rather than pass smart common sense legislation that helps our economy, shores up our military, and opens the doors of opportunity to these high-achieving youth."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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