Professor Hopes Book Will Answer Questions About DREAM Act

The DREAM act was a piece of federal and state legislation that would provide conditional residency for undocumented residents. Dr. Bill Schwab is a sociology professor at the University of Arkansas. He recently completed a book which he hopes will answer questions about the DREAM Act. 

"What I'm trying to do is answer the critics. The major point I make throughout the book is that we are a nation of immigrants," said Schwab. "The book is an advocacy book. I am trying to persuade people to support the state DREAM act." 

Schwab studied groups of local, undocumented students for the book. He said that this is where he got his passion for the DREAM Act. 

"For me, it was a moral outrage. We do not blame children for the behavior of their parents. These kids were brought here at a very young age by their parents who arrive here illegally," said Schwab.

"I am undocumented. I am a dreamer."

Zessna Garcia is one of the undocumented students Schwab interviewed. 

"I grew up in Northwest Arkansas. I have lived here for twenty years. I've lived my whole life under the radar," she said. 

Zessna said Dr. Schwab's book not only brings light to her situation, but also explains how the Act could create fiscal growth. 

"I think Doctor Schwab has done a really good job just highlighting the importance of the Act and the economic and the economic side of the DREAM act."

Doctor Schwab hopes his book will give more information to folks about immigration reform. 

"It makes economic sense, political sense. It makes social sense. It's something that we need to do."

So far, thirteen states have passed their own DREAM acts.  Arkansas does not have a state DREAM Act.

However, a national DREAM act has not passed through both the House and the Senate. 

The book will be available early next year.