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Dream Act is a dream come true for local immigrants
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Education is important for young people trying to realize their dreams. Obviously you agree, because you’re reading a college newspaper, and are most likely a student. You have goals in life, you’re going to be somebody, and move on up to the eastside.
You’ve been a student in America as long as you can remember, working hard to get good grades. Your future is so bright you have to wear sunglasses. Now imagine you can’t attend a university, because your parents are undocumented aliens.
Unfortunately this is the case for many promising scholars. They’ve inherited their parent’s undocumented immigration status despite living in America for years and graduating high school. Under current law, there are no legal mechanisms to get residency for these individuals. However, there is hope in the form of the DREAM Act.
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act is sponsored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) with co-sponsorship from more than 45 other senators. This is a rare example of bipartisanship and shows what can happen when we all come together and actually do something useful.
The DREAM Act would make two major changes to the current laws: it would eliminate a federal provision that discourages providing in-state tuition without any regard to a student’s immigration status, and let some students who have grown up and attended school in the United States to apply for temporary legal status. The students this act is designed for will also be able to attain permanent status and be eligible for citizenship.
To be eligible for the legal residency, students would have to exhibit “good moral character” and have come to the U.S. before they were 16 years old and at least five years before the date of the bill’s enactment. Finally, they need to graduate high school. Then, they’ll qualify for “conditional lawful permanent resident” status, which lasts for six years. During that time the student would need to go to college or serve in the military for two years, and then they would attain eligibility for regular lawful resident status.
This act will open many doors that were locked to the children of illegal immigrants. Every year, thousands of American students get deported to countries they probably haven’t seen since they were young children. These are students that speak only English, students that are as American as you or me.
It’s refreshing to see an act in congress that is based in common sense. With more education there will be less crime, higher paying jobs, (and more tax revenue in the long run) as well as less strain on social and welfare programs. It will help make the world a smarter place and save taxpayers money.
It doesn’t take much analysis to see America needs serious immigration reform. The DREAM Act is an excellent place to start.
Jason D Ward / Opinion Writer