DENVER (CBS4)- Sen. Michael Bennet is trying to drum up support for the Dream Act. The Democrat from Colorado talked to students at West High School in Denver on Friday.

Bennet said students shouldn’t be punished if their parents came into the country illegally. The Dream Act would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented students.

“What the Dream Act would do is say if you’re working hard, if you’re learning English, if you’re staying in school, if you’re getting two years of college, if you’re serving in the military for two years, you gain lawful status in this country. You get a green card,” said Bennet.

The Dream Act was shot down in congress last fall. It was reintroduced on Wednesday. Republicans said it will only encourage illegal immigration.