WASHINGTON -- For young illegal immigrants like Armando Jimenez, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- better known as the DREAM Act -- is a last ditch effort to stay in America. 

He was among a large group of illegal immigrant youths who demonstrated at the White House and near Capitol Hill yesterday, demanding legislation that offers them a path to legalization.

“Well we keep living in the shadows, basically, we want to come out of the shadows and without the DREAM Act, we stay there,” Jimenez said in a mock graduation ceremony at a church just a short walk from the U.S. Capitol.

DREAM legislation
Introduced in the House and Senate in early 2009, the DREAM Act would provide individuals who illegally came into the country as minors with a path to legalization if they either enlisted in the U.S. military or were enrolled in a U.S. college.

Jimenez, of Allentown, Pa., wants to go to college.

“Hopefully with DREAM Act that’s possible for me or if not I want to join the Air Force,” he said.

Now that the effort to pass comprehensive immigration reform is stalled, some advocates are calling for piecemeal progress on the issue with the DREAM Act being the first step.

“We need some type of win, a down payment on immigration reform and DREAM Act is just that,” said Jose Torres of Austin, Tex., who already graduated from the University of Texas.

Immigration reform factions
Some supporters of immigration reform worry that if lawmakers move forward with the DREAM Act, there will be little political capital left to debate the broader comprehensive immigration reform effort they have been demanding for years. That effort includes a path to legalization for many undocumented immigrants, young and old, and a revamped guest worker program.

A spokesperson for Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., Chairwoman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and a main immigration reform advocate, took pains to say she supports the DREAM Act.  However, according to a statement, she supports it in the context of the broader effort.

"I want the students as well as their parents to fulfill their dreams -- we simply cannot leave anyone behind.  I welcome these students’ passion to create fundamental change and encourage them to join us in our efforts to pass comprehensive immigration reform,” the Congresswoman said in the statement.

Jimenez takes issue with such sentiments.  “No, no.  We keep living in the shadows. It is frustrating,” he said.

A step toward reform
The advocacy group 'Reform Immigration for America' has been leading the call for broad reform but is now urging passage of the DREAM Act.  Their web-site calls the legislation a "step" towards comprehensive action.

But Congressional action on the DREAM Act is uncertain.  Lawmakers have been debating the legislation for years without passage.  Critics call it unacceptable amnesty.

Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Il., the legislation's chief proponent, was at the mock graduation ceremony and urged passage.  However, speaking to reporters afterward, he refused to say whether he favors moving forward with the DREAM Act rather than a broad immigration reform bill.

Other than the mock ceremony, the 'dreamers' have been lobbying lawmakers and holding rallies on Capitol Hill and the White House.  After years of advocacy and possible deportation looming, many are desperate.

“I am standing here in the heat and humidity.  I am trying as hard as I can,” Jimenez said.

'Could get deported'
“If this does not pass, everything is up in the air, anything is possible.  You could get deported to a country you left when you were young and you don’t know much.  The fear is real," Torres said.  “I am here now because this is all I have left.”

Even if lawmakers take a piecemeal approach to immigration reform this year by debating the DREAM Act and perhaps even the AgJobs to address agricultural worker needs, Jimenez and Torres will likely end up empty handed as lawmakers turn their attention to the November elections.