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For nearly two years, she's worked toward the goal of becoming a dental hygienist.

But if the DREAM Act doesn't pass, her hard work won't matter. She won't be able to get a job as a dental hygienist because she's undocumented.

"We just want to give back to the country that gave us so much," said Jessica, a Salt Lake Community College student who preferred not to give her full name. Jessica moved here with her parents from Mexico when she was 8. "I love Utah. I love this country."

Short of votes, Senate Democrats decided Thursday to delay a vote on the DREAM Act, which would give undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children the chance to gain legal status if they go to college or join the military. Despite the delay, a handful of activists and "Dreamers" — students who would benefit from the bill's passage — who gathered at Mestizo Coffee House in Salt Lake City on Thursday said they're still hopeful.

"It's good news for now," said Tony Yapias, director of Proyecto Latino de Utah. "I'm glad they didn't force the vote because by forcing the vote today, it would have been the death of the DREAM Act."

Nadia, a 23-year-old Westminster College student, said she plans to keep fighting for the act's passage.

She said she might want to become a lawyer one day, but she's worried about paying for years school if her dream can never become a reality. Nadia, who moved to the U.S. when she was 10 years old, said, for many undocumented young adults, America is the only country they've ever really known.

She said they shouldn't be punished for their parents' actions.

"Breaking the law, being here illegally, it wasn't our fault, so why should we pay for it?" Nadia said. "We are Americans, basically, and we want to give to our communities."

Yapias said the act's supporters will use the delay to continue to make calls and advocate for it.