Harry Hallas 10/28/12
English 11H Mr. Levy
The Dream Act
The Development, Relief and
Education of Alien Minors Act, or the DREAM Act, a gift to America’s illegal
immigrants, has the potential to improve this Nation as an attractive country
for undocumented aliens. Under this Act
with such strict guidelines, illegal immigrants are given a pardon from being
illegal or undocumented, if they are under 30 years of age, if they were under
16 when they illegally came into the U.S., if they graduated High School and
are enrolled in college or other type of higher learning, and if they have been
in the country five consecutive years prior to the bill passing. This bill,
with all of its restrictions would fail to apply to an incredibly high percentage
of illegal aliens. President Barack Obama and Democrats in congress are
attempting to force this bill through, but are being denied rightfully so by
Republicans. Illegal immigrants taking part in American education has been a controversial
issue in recent years, and is a subject that has been and will be important to
Latino voters in this 2012 election.
In New York, a bill was introduced on
August 17, 2012, that would make tens of thousands of illegal immigrants eligible
for government financial aid for college. This bill closely follows the DREAM
Act which was “Unfortunately
blocked by the Senate Republicans." according to Senate Democratic
spokesman Mike Murphy. It is understandable that legal immigrants should have
an equal chance to earn an education and a possibly a job, but, it seems almost
hard to fathom that in New York they not only want to allow immigrants to receive
an American education, but they want to give illegal immigrants tax payer money
in order to pay for their education. Rudy Giuliani as mayor of New York City
supported the education of illegal immigrants as he said “The reality is that (illegal immigrants)
are here, and they're going to remain here. The choice becomes for a city what
do you do? Allow them to stay on the streets or allow them to be educated? The
preferred choice from the point of view of New York City is to be
educated". Well put, but as long as they continue to be educated
and given training wheels they will continue to cross our borders illegally, it
doesn’t matter if they are incredibly hard workers, this can’t continue.
The DREAM Act has its influences and
is very controversial. In the Presidential Election both
Romney and Obama have given their stance in concern to this Act. Obama being part
of the Democratic Party supports the DREAM Act and the keeping of illegal
immigrants in America that have “settled”. On, the other hand, he has deported
1.5 million illegal immigrants, which is more than both the administrations of Clinton
and Bush. His stance on immigration seems to reject new-comers and criminals. Obama
also supports the giving of Visas to foreigners that are highly skilled foreign workers and
entrepreneurs.
Romney shares the same stance in a sense but to a further
degree. Romney vetoed a similar piece of legislation to the DREAM Act in Massachusetts,
and during the Republican Primaries he stated that if Congress were to pass
this legislation he would have it vetoed. Romney’s stance on immigration as a
whole sees it fit that those illegal immigrants who have been in the country for
around a quarter century should be allowed legal documentation, as they have
likely installed roots into their communities, but, he has a unique stance on
deportation. He wants to set forth a long term immigration plan, but when asked
about a direct plan he refers to it as “Self-deportation” meaning If the
immigrants can’t obtain a job or a drivers license they would, on their own
will, go back to the their country of origin. He says He feels “uncomfortable with
the idea of round up and deporting people en masse.” This suggests he wants to
make it harder for illegal aliens to get documentation, an efficient process,
in which no one is forced against their will to another location.
They share fairly similar views on immigration, but, the
DREAM Act seems to be one of the few important distinctions between both candidates’
stances towards immigration. The DREAM Act is influencing other legislation off
of it such as New York’s that just simply doesn’t make any logical sense. A
government student loan will be given to an illegal immigrant, why? Because
they deserve an equal opportunity? No, that loan should be given to the student
with a 3.9 GPA who got into a competitive school but can’t find the money to go
to that school. Someone shouldn’t receive a loan exclusively because they are
an illegal immigrant, the logical response would be to deny them that loan. The
DREAM Act is a very important and influential bill by the Federal Government that
can influence State Governments to create legislation tied hand in hand with
the DREAM Act that wouldn’t deport an illegal immigrant, but pays for their
education to an extent.
Works Cited
·
Balz,
Dan. "Massachusetts." Masslive.com. N.p., n.d. Web.
28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/10/campaign_issues_2012_barack_ob_3.html>.
·
Glionna,
John M. "Arizona Immigration: 'Show Me Your Papers' Enforcement to
Begin." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles
Times, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/18/nation/la-na-nn-arizona-immigration-20120918>.
·
Poe,
Catherine. "DREAM Act: President Obama Reaffirms Unwavering Support for
DREAM Act at Univision's Latino Forum." Washington Times Communities. N.p., 21 Sept.
2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/sep/21/dream-act-president-obama-reaffirms-unwavering-sup/>.
·
"NY
Would Give College Aid to Illegal Immigrants." NBC New York. N.p., 17 Aug. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Illegal-Immigrants-NY-Bill-College-Tuition-Financial-Aid-Dream-Act-166580956.html>.
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