Coming on the heels of a major Microsoft endorsement, the business community is looking to emerge as a key player for passage of the DREAM Act. It’s not often that labor and business see to eye-to-eye but even dialectical opposites recognize the benefits of the DREAM Act.

We won’t say much more–just see the names signing on to this letter:

THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
NEW YORK, NY 10007
May 27, 2009

Dear Senator Durbin and Senator Lugar:
We are writing in support of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (The “DREAM Act”) which would allow the children of immigrants who have grown up here a conditional path to citizenship in exchange for a mandatory two years in higher education or military service. Passage of The DREAM Act would go a long way towards correcting an inequitable situation that drains our economy of talent and resources.

Under current law, children who come to the United States with parents who enter illegally are condemned to a life in the shadows. Many excel in school and dream of going to college, but the opportunity is denied them. With an education, and as legal members of society, they can legally join the American labor force, start new companies, develop innovative technologies, or pioneer medical advances. In other words, these youngsters can become productive contributors to our economy.

In New York City, tens of thousands of public school students do not have legal status. We are investing in them all the same, which is required by federal law and – just as importantly – honors the values on which the United States was built. New York has increased education spending by billions of dollars over the past seven years, and we have raised graduation rates and test scores significantly. Our City – and our country – can only reap a return on that investment
if Congress allows all students to pursue higher education and legitimate careers. In today’s global economy, we simply cannot afford to chase home-grown talent out of our country.

The DREAM Act is not a substitute for comprehensive immigration reform, which is much needed to restore the strength and competitive status of the American economy. Ideally, the DREAM Act should be one component of a comprehensive reform bill. But if comprehensive action is delayed, Congress should not hesitate to pass legislation that provides immediate relief to children who should not be denied the opportunity to secure an education and contribute to the American economy. The Dream Act offers a fair bargain benefiting both
children and the country. As you work to pass it, you will have our full support.

Sincerely,
Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor

Terry J. Lundgren
Chairman, President, and CEO
Macy’s, Inc.

John J. Mack
Chairman and CEO
Morgan Stanley

K. Rupert Murdoch
Chairman and CEO
News Corporation

Richard Parsons
Chairman
Citigroup

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Chairman and CEO
WL Ross & Co. LLC

Jerry I. Speyer
Chairman and Co-CEO
Tishman Speyer

Seth Waugh
CEO
Deutsche Bank Americas

Kathryn Wylde
President and CEO
Partnership for New York City

Mortimer B. Zuckerman
Chairman
Boston Properties

Candace K. Beinecke
Chair
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Kevin Burke
Chairman, President, and CEO
Con Edison

Russell L. Carson
Co-Founder and General Partner
Welsh, Carson, Anderson &
Stowe

Robert B. Catell
Chairman US
National Grid

Kenneth I. Chenault
Chairman and CEO
American Express Company

James Dimon
Chairman, President, and CEO
JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Jeff Kindler
CEO and Chairman
Pfizer

Rochelle B. Lazarus
Chairman
Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide

Martin Lipton
Senior Partner
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz