Eva Longoria supports the DREAM Act. So, too does New York Mets second baseman Luis Castillo and actor America Ferrera, of Ugly Betty (a ColorLines favorite) fame. Oh, and Miami Sound Machine’s Emilio Estefan and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

They all told the Senate so today in a letter addressed to Senate leaders and jointly signed by the National Council of La Raza and other Latino politicians and business leaders. "America cannot afford to lose another generation of young people who stand to contribute to its economic and social prosperity," they said. "The beneficiaries of the ‘DREAM Act’ are our future teachers, nurses, and engineers…The Latino community is counting on Congress to come together and show its support for the future of these young people and the nation."

The DREAM Act would allow undocumented youth who’ve lived in the country for at least five years and graduated from high school a chance to gain citizenship after a thirteen-year probationary period if they commit at least two years to higher education or the military. While it’s got bipartisan support behind it, and plenty of celebrity cheerleaders, as well, it faces stiff odds when it returns to the Senate floor, possibly next week.