Student senators plan to discuss a resolution supporting the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act at tonight's Senate meeting.
The bill, which will be voted on in October by the U.S. Congress, would, if passed, give some undocumented students, who are between 12 and 30 years old, the opportunity to attend a U.S. university.
"This is about equal education, something that should not be denied," said Unite Party Sen. Gaby Alvarez, who represents UF's sophomore class and is one of the resolution's authors.
A resolution is a piece of legislation that states the opinion of Senate but does not take action.
Alvarez wrote the resolution with Grey Caceros, president of UF's Coalition of Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and Service.
The bill, which was first brought before the U.S. Congress in 2004, requires students to have lived in the U.S. before turning 16 years old and have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a General Education Degree, or GED, according to Alvarez.
Alvarez said passing the DREAM Act would benefit the U.S. because it would increase the country's educated work force.
Alvarez said she is optimistic the resolution will be passed during tonight's meeting.
Senate President Audrey Goldman, who represents students living in District A, said she believes this resolution will be a controversial topic since immigration is a sensitive issue.
"I hope the senators will vote according to what constituents want, and not to what their personal beliefs are," she said.
