DREAM Act Re-introduced on March 26th
The DREAM Act is The “Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act.” This Act was proposed before, but never passed. In fact, in 2007, a filibuster in the Senate held back the Act from going through. However, on March 26th, 2009, it was proposed once again.
The DREAM Act is for certain immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally while they were children, but graduated high school, lived in the US for 5 continuous years, and are of good moral character. The Act sets out to provide these immigrants with an opportunity for temporary residency, which would later qualify them for permanent residency. Specifically, the Act requires that the immigrant spend 2 years in military service, complete 2 years of college, or have 2 years of credit in a 4-year college program, all within a 6-year period of time.
Conservatives refer to the Act as another avenue for “amnesty” while Liberals claim that the U.S. should welcome all immigrants, especially those who have adapted to American life. But a real analysis of the advantages and disadvantages might provide some insight as to why this Act keeps getting stalled.
Advantages:
- By forcing these immigrants back to their home countries, the U.S. could experience a “brain drain.” In effect, the U.S. would educate several immigrants and then force them out of the country. It would be more prudent to utilize the talent the U.S. educates.
- Extending good will to a populace brings positive returns and vice versa. In other words, the DREAM Act seeks to solve the problem of several illegal immigrants being in the U.S. because their parents made certain choices when the immigrant child herself was too young. Now, the immigrant child has grown up in American culture, getting an American education, learning an American language. But when the effectively American person applies for a job, she is ineligible for employment. This could embitter a population. Instead, the U.S. may find it more advantageous to extend good will in exchange for loyalty and nationalism.
- It encourages immigrants to acquire higher education.
Disadvantages:
- There is some component of truth to what the Conservatives argue in that those immigrants who would qualify would be getting somewhat of a “free ride.” Granted, many of them might’ve gone through quite a bit in the hope of becoming legal before the DREAM Act passed (if such were the case), but in effect, they would have been able to get away with illegal immigration.
- It may encourage future illegal immigrants who hope that eventually lawmakers will pass another law of the same sort in the future.
So, what are your thoughts — in favor of the DREAM Act, or opposed? Why? Post your thoughts below! And don’t forget to keep posting on April 2009 Visa Bulletin as well!
Another Disadvantage, according to Fox News, is that there will be transfer seats and tuition subsidies for illegal immigrants, which ordinarily would be no big deal. However, with the economy being so bad, it’s coming at a time that “state higher education budgets are being slashed, admissions curtailed, and tuition increased.” But who respects Fox News anyway? I, personally, I DEFINITELY in FAVOR of the DREAM Act. I hope it makes it through this time. No reason that the children should pay for what the parents did.
Very interesting article. . . Please keep up posted as to the progress of this Act. I would love to know more about it as time goes on.
I am wondering that it would be necessary for these children to serve in a military for 2 years?
@riz_md
riz_md, Based on everything I’ve read (although I haven’t read the proposed statute itself), my understanding is that these persons to whom the Dream Act would apply would be able to qualify if they 1) spend 2 years in military service, OR 2) complete 2 years of college, OR 3) have 2 years of credit in a 4-year college program.
As I understand it, if they have the proper amount of schooling, they can qualify and will not need the military service. But again, I have not read the proposed statute, itself, and it is entirely possible that the language could change during debates in Congress.
So, please do not rely on my thoughts or construe what I am saying as legal advice.
I want to support the dream act because there are so many children living here illegally due to the fact that their parents came here on holiday visas and overstayed. These kids were placed in NY public school and some private school, completed high school and are working off the books. Some of these very kids are fed up and frustrated because even if they are send back to their birth country, have no ties there and will be lost. So what if they havent gone to college, shouldnt they also get a chance?
In response to olive: I dont believe that the kids who are not attending college should get a chance at legalising their status, unless they can prove that they are financially stable and have excellent moral character.
The mistake of the amnesty in 1986 was that it was given to everybody who applied and was not carefully monitored. I know people who obtained their “papers” by posing as agricultural workers even though they never set foot on a field. This example only proves that the goverment was lazy and took the easy way out when trying to get rid of the problem of illegal immigration. As a result, we had a bunch of people who really didnt deserve to be here taking adavantage of our goverment programs milking every possible benefit out of tax payers. What is worse, is that the problem wasnt solved and now it has doubled in size.
In my opinion the goverment should legalize only those people who are deserving of the privilege. People who abide by the rules, and who can prove that they are here to work and raise their families in an honest way and by following the law. Perhaps most importantly, people who are here to improve their life not only economically, but socially as well. By this I mean people who take interest in adopting the american culture,learn our language and follow our laws without losing their identity.
The majority of the people who come from latin american countries do not place a high value on the education of their children because they themselves are not educated. Perhaps knowing that attending college will give their children a chance to be legal, will push them to educate themselves and push their children harder to get educated.
I feel that the DREAM act should be passed. It will be helping those who came here illegaly yes, but they did not knowingly do it. For some of these people their parents brought them here when they were too young to remember anything. They have lived here their whole lives not knowing anything about their “home” country and sending them back could be psychologically damaging to them. Besides it is not like we are saying here are your papers now go do whatever you want. We are making them work for it wheather it be through getting an education or serving our country they are working for it. And the act will not be helping those who are not an asset to our country or economy. If we help these people to get a higher education they will be able to spend more money and help our economy go up. Not only that but we will have more qualified and educated people in our workforce which is good for everybody.