Illegal immigration has been a constant issue in the political arena over the past decade with immigration laws still under discussion. Immigration means entering a country of which you are not a native for permanent residence. The United States is a nation founded by people who emigrated based on the principle of freedom. What would our ancestors think if they saw the problems their nation faced today? There are many issues related to immigration policy such as national security, border patrol, deportation, lack of jobs and lower wages. The United States must adopt policies to further correct current legal and illegal immigration laws. President Obama spoke about the DREAM Act at The State of the Union last month urging lawmakers to pass the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is legislation drafted by both Republicans and Democrats that would give students growing up in the United States the chance to contribute to the well-being of our country by serving in the U.S. military or pursuing higher education. The DREAM Act was passed in December 2010 by the House of Representatives by a vote of 216-198, but in the Senate the DREAM Act did not get enough votes to break the Republican filibuster with 55 votes out of 60 (Stolz 16). Obama recently said, “We need five more years to reform a broken immigration system and to make sure we are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants” (Schwandt). Texas became the first state to allow undocumented students to attend Texas universities and be able to pay in-state tuition. The first group of students has graduated since the law went into effect in 2001, although these students are still unable to work because they are undocumented. Thus, the passage of the DREAM Act became... half of the document... Aspects of Effective Immigration Reform." Society 47.2 (2010): 110-117. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 February 2012 Hines, Barbara. "An Overview of Immigration Law and Policy in the United States Since 9/11." TexasHispanic Journal of Law & Policy 12.1 (2006): 9-28 Premier of Academic Research and James Ziglar 'immigration. (Cover Story)." America205.18 (2011): 12-15. Academic Search Premier. Web. February 23, 2012. Krikorian, Mark. "To Reform Immigration, Legal and Illegal." National Review 63.15 (2011): 36 -37. Academic Research Premier. Web. February 23, 2012. Stolz, "Lessons for the Future of Immigration Reform.". 2012.