The 2010 Census reveals that the Hispanic population is the largest minority population in the United States.
The Hispanic population grew 43 percent between 2000 — 2010, while the African-American population grew only 12.3 percent during the same period. Hispanics now make up 16.3 percent of the populations, while African-Americans make up 12.6 percent.
The actual number of Hispanics living in the United States is even greater with the millions of illegal and undocumented immigrants.
During the past 10 years, attempts to pass the DREAM Act have occurred at both the national and state level. DREAM is the acronym for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors.
The legislative proposal was originally introduced in the United States Sen
ate in 2001. U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, and House Representative Howard Berman introduced the most current legislation in March 2009. A Senate filibuster on December 18, 2010 blocked the passage of Senate Bill 3992 at the national level. However, 11 states (Arkansas, California, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Washington) have already passed legislation that would make undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state tuition benefits at a state’s public colleges.
The description of the national DREAM Act legislation is as follows.
“The purpose of the Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors, also called the DREAM Act, is to help those individuals who meet certain requirements have an opportunity to enlist in the military or go to college and have a path to citizenship which they otherwise would not have without this legislation. Supp
orters of the DREAM Act believe it is vital not only to the people who would benefit from it, but also the United States as a whole. It would give an opportunity to undocumented immigrant students who have been living in the U.S. since they were young, a chance to contribute back to the country that has given so much to them and a chance to utilize their hard earned education and talents.”
The national legislation further outlines a list of specific requirements needed to qualify for the benefits of the DREAM Act, should it pass. Eligible undocumented immigrants must have:
- Entered the United States before the age of 16;
- Lived in the United States for at least five (5) consecutive years prior to the enactment of the bill;
- Graduated from a United States high school, or have obtained a GED, or have been accepted into an institution of higher education (college/university);
- Good moral character; and
- Must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of application
Should the DREAM Act pass at the national level, an undocumented individual meeting the requirements above, would also have to do a number of additional things to apply and become a permanent U.S. citizen. To review those additional conditions please visit http://dreamact.info
If this legislation were re-introduced in the United States Congress this year or next year, should it pass and become law?
What do you think?
Comments
YES
I think this is a wonderful idea. This would not just save lives, but give meaning to so many people's lives. The children brought here had no choice in the matter, and it was not them that knowingly broke the laws. These children should be treated like NORMAL HUMAN CHILDREN. They have brains, and wants, and dreams, just like a normal kinder-gardener. These children need an opportunity to do great things with their lives. There are down sides to this plan, that in my opinion will stop it from getting passed. The passing of this bill will give even more motivation for illegal immigration, and will in fact worsen the problem. I wish it was as easy as it sounds, but I have a feeling that the cons with outweigh the pro's for most people. I urge people to have compassion, and let that factor in to their decision. We are human, not one is better than the other. An innocent child does not need to pay for the deviance of adults.
LIKE
I think any program this country sets up to better the future generations and help educate under privileged kids is a wonderful idea. The DREAM act has the ability to help these minors break the poverty cycle and also free them of the stereotypes surrounding their race. The problem is paying for it. I’m not interested in politics but I am interested in helping benefit and enrich other’s lives so looking at this issue from a big picture stand point, I say YES!
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Reguardless of your view point on illegal immigration the DREAM act will serve to educate and therefore strenghthen the American populace. This is not rewarding the behavior of those who arrived in the United States illegally it is simply recognizing the fact that there is a large population of children of illegal immigrants who can positively effect our economy and workforce if we let them. The bill will serve to ensure that not just the priviledged are allowed to go to school and will send a sound message to the rest of the world that Americans view education as an unalienable right. I believe the bill will help to boost the economy and will be one of the most responisble acts commissioned since the nation wide discussion of illegal immigration took the center stage. Pass the bill.
Dream Act
Passing the Dream Act would give those illegal immigrants, who came to this country with no other choice than the one their family provided, a chance to succeed. I feel that it would be best for them to contribute to the country that does do so much for them. I also feel that it would increase the number of illegal immigrants that continue to cross the border. I feel we will see an overflow which will continue to rise. Our tax dollars would contribute to the education of those who do not pay taxes. I have a hard enough time trying to pay for my own education, much less the probability of higher taxes to educate others. I simply cannot afford it and neither can our country.
Dream Act
I believe that the DREAM act is a great piece of legislation. It is absolutely ridiculous for Americans to discriminate against the children of illegal aliens. I do believe that illegal aliens should not be present in the United States. However, I do not think that we should punish their children and prevent their children from becoming a viable part of society just because of their parents transgressions.
DREAM Act
The DREAM Act would be very beneficial to our country and economy. It would give the immigrants a chance to become citizens and help our economy become more stable. It would force immigrants to pay taxes and allow them to become more respected in the community. They would be able to get a good education and make more money for their families. It would allow the U.S. to allow them to serve in the military and help protect our wonderful country. If they fit the guidelines it would be very beneficial for them and their families. They came to America for a better life, now this is there chance. We can show them the door but we can’t open it for them.
why not?
I believe the Dream act might be the beginning of a very revolutionary movement if passed nationwide in the United States. I feel that if immigrants who have earned their High School degree or GED should definitely be eligible for the special grants proposed. If they are willing to work towards obtaining an associates, bachelors, or masters degree they should be free to do so. I feel that people are focusing on the wrong points when it comes to this topic. What people might get out of this article is that Illegal immigrants are going to be getting all the scholarships. But when looked at more in depth the dream act is only trying to level the playing field for a large group of people who were underprivileged and entered this country with hopes and dreams of obtaining a better life. I find it irrational to believe that these immigrants who might obtain these scholarships are going to be taking the place of every major schools student population. If this act is implemented nationwide I wouldn’t be surprised to see a gradual increase in our nation’s total GDP as there will be more people with higher levels of education and who are willing to work harder than others before them.
I agree with the passing of
I agree with the passing of the legislation of the DREAM Act but I also understand why it has had some trouble getting passed. This act would allow hardworking aliens who have been in this country for several years to contribute something back to our country. I think it is a great opportunity to apply the “American Dream” to a positive connotation. However, I understand why it has had some obstacles as well. Some would say that this act is saying that it is ok to be an illegal citizen and go against the laws that we have instilled to protect the rightful citizens of this country. However, I think this act is just trying to give the people who did not necessarily have control and were not the decision maker in their family an opportunity to succeed and grow and ultimately be a benefit to American society.
Not sure
I feel that this is a good idea but i don't like the fact that we the tax payers would be paying for kids or adults to go to school here that are not even from our country. Now i know that there are a lot of foreign exchange students but this is not even close to the same thing. Those kids are usually sponsored by a private party where as with this Dream plan we would not have a choice, our money is going to be used whether we like it or not. I its a good idea but it still has some kinks that have to be worked out because i don't want to pay for it.
Dream Act
I definitely see where you are coming from and agree with you for the most part. Yes, we as tax payers have to pay for others college education but there are many illegal immigrants who come to this country to work for a better life, work under a fake social security number and thus pay taxes and never receive any of the benefits that an American citizen does. Don’t get me wrong I don’t think that this is 100% correct, but they are trying to better their lives and the lives of their children. We have to look at what this country was founded on and the fact that everyone is an immigrant but hundreds of years ago people didn’t have to come over illegally. Everyone was just allowed to come over given certain criteria. Yes I agree there are still many kinks that need to be worked out before this bill can be passed but it potentially could be something very beneficial for this country given that it is written correctly and for the right reasons and given to the right people.
Dream Act
Are You In Favor of Passage of The DREAM Act: Based on the facts given in this article I can foresee no harm coming from the DREAM act. In fact I believe that only positive things will happen in effect of its passage. I appreciate that there are certain requirements for qualification. This proves to me that this act has been thoroughly processed to insure fairness. I believe that the DREAM act should be reintroduced into legislation and become law.
Dream Act
I agree with passing the Dream Act. It gives chances to those kids who came here with their parents, whether or not they wanted to. It is not fair for those who came here with their parents, and yet is being punished for being an undocumented immigrant. Some come here at a young age where they will not be able to function properly if they ever decided to go back to where they originally came from. It is not fair for the kids to suffer for the mistakes that their parents have made. That is why I like the idea that you had to have come to this country before the age of 16 and have lived here for more than 5 years. It gives them evidence that these kids did not have a choice in whether or not they wanted to come to America, and if they want to attend College and be eligible to pay in-state tuition, let it be.
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