Arizona students in D.C. for Dream Act hearing

PHOENIX - Several Arizona college students will be in Washington Tuesday morning for the first-ever Senate hearing on the Dream Act."There's a conversation that's going to start and hopefully we can build bi-partisan support," said Angelica Hernandez, an undocumented immigrant and recent Arizona State University graduate who plans to attend the hearing.Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, is the lawmaker behind the Dream Act and is sponsoring the measure again after failing last session.The hearing will be at 7 a.m. Arizona time.

Durbin announced several national leaders will testify before the Judiciary Committee including: Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano; Secretary of Education Arne Duncan; Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr. Clifford Stanley; DREAM Student, Ola Kaso; Lt. Colonel (retired) Margaret Stock; and Director of Research for the Center for Immigration Studies, Steven Camarota.

Hernandez said Durbin will also speak about her experience and situation.At 9-years old, Hernandez came to Arizona with her mother from Mexico City. This May, she graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering. She was also awarded with top honors for her academic achievements.

"We're definitely here in this country and we keep dreaming of what we want to become," she said.The Dream Act would grant citizenship to illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, in addition to several conditions, including things like military service or obtaining a college education.Check back with ABC15.com for updates on Tuesday.