The Fourth of July reminds us what it is to be an American. We should honor that by urging the Senate to pass the DREAM Act. This bill would allow young adults brought to the U.S. as children, the so-called “Dreamers,” to stay here and become U.S. citizens if they play by the rules.

Dreamers are as American as you or me. Some Dreamers have no idea they lack legal documentation until they try to obtain a driver’s license or apply for college. Under the DREAM Act, they would be able to pursue the American Dream and attend school, work, and/or serve in the military without fear of deportation. Some 1,200 of them live among us here in Maine.

Voters on both sides of the aisle strongly agree that Dreamers should be allowed to stay in the U.S. Three-quarters of Republicans support allowing Dreamers to work and go to school in the U.S., including two-thirds of former President’s Trump supporters.

The DREAM Act will offer a helping hand to a small group of young people who came to this country under extenuating circumstances, have spent years contributing to their communities, and know no other home but the U.S. The Senate should pass this common-sense bill as soon as possible.

Roger Katz 

Augusta