Officials declined to take action against the students.

Brian Darling, director of Senate relations for Heritage, said Durbin’s press event was a part of the Democrats’ larger strategy to “play the kid card.” He likened it to the decision made last month by Democratic leadership to use 12-year old Graeme Frost in their standoff with President Bush over expansion of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Several Republicans complained that Democrats called the bill for a vote with little notice. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) filed a motion to proceed with the bill late Monday evening. Less than 48 hours later, it was called for a vote.

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson, who unveiled his formal immigration plan Tuesday, seized on this opportunity to criticize Democrats. His campaign issued a statement that said: "Apparently our Democratic friends in Congress have learned a thing or two from the ‘coyotes,’ because just when we’d thought we’d sent the illegal-immigrant amnesty bill packing (at least for this year), Congress has ignored the public’s wishes and is trying to sneak what amounts to another amnesty bill through."

In addition to the legislation’s two Republican co-sponsors--Sens. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Richard Lugar (Ind.)-- nine GOP senators voted to support the DREAM Act. They were: Sen. Bob Bennett (Utah.), Sen. Sam Brownback (Kans.), Sen. Susan Collins (Maine), Sen. Larry Craig (Idaho), Sen. Orrin Hatch (Utah), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Tex.), Sen. Trent Lott (Miss.), Sen. Mel Martinez (Fla.) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (Maine.).

For a complete roll call vote click here.