About a dozen DREAMers, student activists and allies at the University of Texas at San Antonio have been on a hunger strike since last Wednesday in an effort to push Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to support the DREAM Act.

Hutchison has backed the DREAM Act in the past but voted against a more recent version attached to a defense bill. She does not support the current version, according to a statement that urged UTSA students to “find safer ways to voice their opinions.”

“The Senator appreciates the passion of these young people for their cause, but she has been clear that she does not support the current DREAM Act legislation,” the statement said. “The Senator had previously proposed a way for students, who have gotten their primary and secondary education in the United States and want to go to college here, to get a temporary visa. She believes the current legislation goes far beyond the intended group of children who have grown up in America.”

Senator Hutchison so far has refused to meet with the hunger strikers, saying through a spokesperson in a meeting with some of the activists that as far as the Senator is concerned the DREAM Act does not exist.

It will be interesting to see if Hutchison changes her tune given the outcome of yesterday’s White House meeting.