'A Step in the Right Direction,' Student Reflects on DREAM Act

-- June 15, 2012 at 2:09 PM EDT

'A Step in the Right Direction,' Student Reflects on DREAM Act

President Obama's administration announced that it will stop deporting and grant work permits to nearly 1 million immigrants who are eligible for the controversial DREAM Act. NewsHour Extra caught up with Yves Gomes, who was featured in a Student Voice in September 2010 discussing leaving his native India as an infant, the deportation of his parents back to India and his desire to stay in the United States to further his education.

What are you doing now?
I finished my two years at Montgomery Community College and received an associates degree in BioChemistry. Now I'm interning at Casa de Maryland, a local non-profit that advocates for immigrant rights, for the summer. I am working with the youth group to advocate for the Maryland DREAM Act.

What are your plans for the future?
I've applied to University of Maryland, Georgetown University and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and still waiting for admission. I want to get my Bachelors in BioChemistry and pursue a career in medicine or medical research.

One day I would like to become a U.S. citizen and vote in this country since I've lived here my whole life.

President Obama's political opponents say he is pushing this legislation for his own political aspirations, what do you think?
President Obama has spoken about this before and he sees the potential that these students can offer this country as an educated workforce.

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