The DREAM Act: Should This Legislation Be Implemented At The National Level?

I believe that everyone has dreams and some are more attainable to achieve than others. Many illegal immigrants have come to the United States to better their lives and gain more opportunities at education, freedom, and income. Although many citizens may not see it but we benefit also from the immigrants coming to the U.S. Immigrants do hard laboring jobs that many Americans would not even consider to do. Instead of looking at the negative side, majority, especially the government should look at the positive side. By immigrants being willing to defend our country is honorable and brave. The government should stop underestimating what immigrants have to bring to the table and also stop trying to place the blame on indigent-minority groups of people. Young immigrants, illegal or not, who have lived here their entire lives should have the opportunity to get an education or serve for our country if this is what they dream to do. They could be selling drugs or robbing individuals as opportunities to earn money. The bigger question is would you prefer them to be on the streets committing crimes trying to make a living or increasing our military and educational systems in a positive aspect?

I do not believe that the DREAM Act is something that should be federally implemented in America. Although I understand the argument that the children this act targets did not have a choice coming to America because they had to go with their families, that does not change the fact that they are residing in this country illegally. These children have already been granted a free K-12 education in this country that was paid for by legal tax-paying citizens of the U.S. and I do not feel like undocumented immigrants should be able to take away in-state tuition from any legal U.S. citizen. Tax payers help supply the money that is put aside for in-state tuition, so why should undocumented workers who do not pay their fair share of taxes be able to access this money? I’m pretty sure that if I had entered into Mexico illegally as a child and now was trying to get financial aid at a Mexican college, I would not get any help there, or any other country for that matter, so why should undocumented immigrants get in-state tuition for college in this country? Since the number of people who attend college is still a minority overall, that means plenty of people are not going to college and still surviving, so I do not buy the popular argument pushed by proponents of this act that claim that if these undocumented workers do not get a college education then they will not be able to be successful or have a good future. As far as letting undocumented workers join the military, it just seems bizarre to me that we would have people not a legal part of our country fighting in our armed forces. In my opinion, if undocumented young people in this country want to get in-state tuition money or to be a part of our military, then they should first become a legal part of this country. If these young undocumented workers want to live the rest of their lives in America, then shouldn’t they want to become legal citizens and pay their fair share to support this country?

First and foremost, we need to acknowledge that our current immigration system is ineffective, both in respects to facilitating a lawful legalization process and in preventing illegal migration as a whole. The arrogance of our leadership and the ignorance of its respective public perpetuates the notion that undocumented immigrants are only suitable for menial low-wage jobs, an idea that is not only offensive but also implies racist perspectives. I think that it is nothing short of astounding that our legislators would be unwilling to provide for an honest pathway for ambitious young men and women to make something better of themselves and of their country. The mythology of the "American Dream" is simply much too hard to swallow for those that work their hands to the bone in exchange for a cheap wage, grotesque working conditions and the constant threat of deportation. Immigration Customs Enforcement employs gestapo-like tactics to divide families across the nation in the supposed interest of national security. Undocumented immigrants that are detained by ICE are subject to prolonged incarceration, deplorable living conditions and often do not have access to legal counsel. To top it off, the stock of private correctional corporations such as CCA continues to climb and ICE is allowed to operate with impunity and the utmost disregard to human dignity. There is a lot of judgement to be passed when it comes to upholding the rule of law. People who enter the country under cover of darkness or amidst smoldering desert heat, facing certain death in exchange for the possibility of a better life are repudiated and scorned because they are perceived as "law breakers". So the question begs, "What about human rights violations, unconstitutional policy and tactics, prison profiteering and violation of labour laws?" These are ALL crimes, equally punishable by law, well worthy of public scorn and investigation. So let us do away with the ridiculous rhetoric about "protecting the law", let us focus on what matters most. What matters most is that we need more young men and women attending college. What matters most is that we need an adequate and educated work force to address the challenges of our generation. What matters most is that America must remain the land of opportunity in these desperate and dastardly times, let us not loose focus and pass this important piece of legislation!

I feel that the DREAM act has a ton of potential in our country. We can’t deny the fact that there are already millions of undocumented citizens living in the United States. I know people are saying that giving undocumented immigrants free money is an unfair idea but most of the people we are talking about were brought to this country at a very young age and didn’t have any say in the matter. These people only know of the U.S. as their home and nowhere else. Since these people are going to want to stay here why not help them get a good education and legal status. Helping them get a well-deserved education seems like the right thing to do, why would we want to keep them from obtaining the good opportunities that their families came here to give them?

The Dream Act is one of the most controversial issues in America today. Many ask if it is the right thing to do in the United States. Many say, yes it is. America is the land of opportunity. In many situations children of illegal immigrants are carried across the border so they can have the opportunity to succeed. It has always been my understanding to abide by the law and stay out of trouble. The Dream Act congratulates illegal immigrants for being in the United States and wanting to succeed. It is understanding that they want to succeed, but here in America there are checks and balances. There are laws that need be followed; laws that have been implemented for many decades. This is not an issue that will ever be fixed. Yet, by allowing the “act” to pass, shows illegal immigrants of any race or ethnicity that they can get away with being “undocumented.” Another question that has to be asked, What about the citizens of the United States that want to go to school but cannot afford it? We have plenty of talent that is already in the United States legally. Why would we not just pay for them to greater there education? An illegal immigrant has no rights in the United States until they go through the steps to be a citizen.