5 questions

The Rev. Jean O'Bresky, a public policy associate for the New Hampshire Council of Churches, traveled to Washington for the Jericho March on Tuesday, a march by faith leaders in support of the DREAM Act. The act, which is pending in the U.S. Senate, would give young, undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship if they complete college or serve in the military.

Why is the DREAM Act important? This is for undocumented immigrants who came over as minors. What they're seeking to do is just be able to get an education and find a way to become a permanent resident of the U.S. But unfortunately, because they're undocumented, they have to live under the radar.

What effect would it have on New Hampshire, with our small population of immigrants? We have a lot of people from Burundi, Somalia, all over the world moving into New Hampshire. This would give young people who are already here a chance to find a road to legal immigration and get an education. This would be an increase to our economy. You're talking college-educated people who are able to . . . contribute to our communities.

What is the Jericho March? The Jericho March was a silent procession where we walked around the Senate building, around in a circle in silence, holding hands and hoping to do what the Israelites did to Jericho, to bring down their walls. All of us who were clergy wore clerical garb. We had signs. The kids who were wearing graduation caps. After the Jericho March, I saw one of (Republican Sen.) Judd Gregg's aides and one of (Democratic Sen.) Jeanne Shaheen's aides.

Why is this a religious issue? In the Bible, Leviticus, it says you should love the alien just as yourself. The alien was the person who wasn't from your country living in your country. This is a biblical mandate. That's what we're called to do, to care for those not from here and love them just like we love our families, care for them just like we care for families. I'm also the daughter of immigrants. My mom and dad came over from Poland after World War II

Does it look as if the bill will pass? We need 60 votes. Yesterday we had 55. We're praying