Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a democrat from the state of Nevada has announced that the DREAM Act will be included as an amendment in the defense authorization bill.

Reid has long been trying to get the DREAM Act passed one way or another, but today he seemed confident that it would pass if included in the defense authorization bill.

“When that [DREAM Act] passes, millions of children will be able to get the education they need to contribute to our economy. Boys and girls who come here before they turn 16 and have been here for five years — kids who grew up as Americans — should be able get their green card after [going] to college or [serving] in the military,” said Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid.

DREAM Act is an acronym for “Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act”, and it was introduced way back in 2001. In 2009, it was officially introduced in the Senate and House of Representatives. The act will provide illegal immigrant students who entered the US before the age of 16, graduated high school in the US, and are of good moral character, the chance to earn conditional permanent residency.

The defense bill is expected to receive a Senate vote next week. Currently it has some bipartisan support. As for whether or not the measure will get he 60 votes it needs to pass, is up for debate.

What do you think. Should the amendment be included in the defense authorization bill or not?