Should undocumented immigrant students who have lived in the U.S. for at least five years and have earned a high school diploma be given lawful permanent resident status? That is the topic for a Nov. 3 panel discussion being held at the UF College of Law.

From noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom (HOL 180), representatives from both the pro and con of this issue will debate the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. In 2000, a version of this bill was unable to gain enough support to pass in the House and Senate. This year, the legislation has been reintroduced.

Joining in the panel discussion titled, “Universities: Closing Their Doors to Immigrants?,” will be Ira Mehlman, media director for the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), Susana Barciela, policy director for the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FAIC) and Jose Luis Marantes, national youth organizer for the Center for Community Change.

Lea Johnston, an assistant professor at UF Law and faculty co-chair, expects the discussion to be lively and encourages all students interested in current and future immigration law to attend the event.

“Each year, about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the United States,” Johnston said. “These students often face insurmountable barriers to pursing college or employment. The DREAM Act would reward those who stay in school and out of trouble by providing conditional legal immigration status and a possible path to citizenship. There are few immigration bills more important in the upcoming session of Congress.”

Sponsors for the event and free lunch include the UF Coalition of Hispanics Integrating Spanish Speakers through Advocacy and Service, Immigration Law Association, Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations, Hispanic Latino/a Law Student Association, International Law Society, and the Caribbean Law Society.