Senator addresses vital immigration issues, education in PVCC town hall

By Nathan J King and Travis Duprey, March 2010
State News Editor and Political Editor

Photo by Nathan King
In a forum held Feb. 13, Senator McCain dodges questions about his support of the Dream Act. The Dream Act addresses education for immigrants.

John McCain U.S. Sen. (R-AZ) appeared at Paradise Valley Community College on Saturday Feb. 13 in a town-hall forum attended largely by citizens eager to discuss immigration legislation.

Members of Reform Immigration for America (RIFA), a Hispanic immigrant advocacy group composed much of the audience at the Center for Performing Arts.

Repeatedly, gallery occupants pressed McCain to explain his recent opposition to the Dream Act. The Dream Act was proposed in March 2009 in the U.S. House to “permit States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and to authorize adjustment of status of certain alien students who are long-term United States residents and who entered the United States as children,” according to the text of the legislation. More simply put, the bill would allow states to offer undocumented students, who have grown up in the U.S., aid and scholarships as they do other students.

During a 2008 speech before the National Council of La Raza, McCain supported the Dream Act. Asked by a member of the audience at that time if he supported the Dream Act. McCain responded, “Yes, yes, yes.”

He did not say “yes” when asked at PVCC.

McCain was questioned about his current stance on the Dream act and similar legislation at PVCC’s townhall. An education professional, in the audience said, “I am asking you very directly (if you still support) the dream act.”
McCain responded, “The Democrats will not accept a legal temporary worker program. I believe we need a legal temporary worker program.”

When the unidentified teacher asked for clarification McCain abruptly chose another audience member.

McCain’s office declined to give specific comment to the Puma Press about if and under what conditions he would continue to support Dream Act type legislation. His official website, johnmccain.com, says that border security must be the first priority of any comprehensive immigration legislations and that McCain “does not support amnesty and believes that we should not reward lawbreakers.”

McCain is facing a primary challenge from conservative Republican J.D. Hayworth. This may be influencing his willingness to make concrete statements on immigration reform, said Shuya Ohno, RIFA’s Deputy Communications Director, “(His position) is intentionally vague.”

But the RIFA group in attendance still hopes for support in what they see to be a key immigration issue. “(We are here) to support McCain and make sure he knows we appreciate all that he has done for all of our community as well as the nation…Americans,” said DeeDee Blasé, RIFA representative.