are deemed aliens and immigrants. Their children – even the straight A ones -
find difficulty being accepted in college because they are immigrants. If
accepted they are usually restricted to community colleges and without the
benefit of financial aid. Thanks to the proposals by Utah senator Orion Hatch
(Rep) and Illinois senator Richard Durbin (Dem); these two senators crossed party
lines to create DREAM, the Devlopment, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act in order to help the students not only continue their education into college, but find a
path to citizenship as well. Every year more than three million U.S. high
school students graduate and are able to attend the college of their choice in
order to pursue their American dream. Sadly, 65,000 students graduating high
school can’t pursue that dream because they are tarnished with an inherited
title of, “illegal immigrant.” Even if these immigrant students or alien minors
have lived most of their lives in the United States they appear to be accepted
up until high school. After that, they simply become illegal immigrants. The
DREAM Act, however is meant to take care of all this troubling transition from
alien minor to illegal deportable immigrants. To qualify for DREAM the alien
minor must have entered the United States before the age of 16 have been present in the United States for at least five consecutive years prior to enactment of the bill, have graduated from a United States high school or obtained a GED, have been accepted into an institution of higher education, like college while acheiving their bachelors and must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time of application. Another way they qualify is if, the applicant has enrolled in the United State military. Even though the Dream Act sounds like an enticing idea to help the immigrants who want opportunity in America, it has some major loopholes that make the senate second guess whether the act is more bad than good. Their argument is that if the Dream Act were to pass, the majority of the 7 million immigrants who qualify would apply and receive their green card would inspire families around the globe to flood the US in hopes of a better life for their children and a pathway to citizenship for themselves, once their children turn 21. Another argument originating from the Congressional Budget office is this bill would add to the federal deficit beginning in 2020 because it would cost states 6 billion dollars per year. They further claim that in an economy still reeling from 27 million unemployed and under-employed workers, the economy won’t be able to absorb millions of New citiznes searching for jobs as well. Legalizing these alien minors may cost a bunch of money, but what are the options. The bill needs to be passed because it is the right thing to do. If the only thing holding these youngsters from being successful people is that they aren’t “American citizens” then that’s morally wrong. It’s about time that the Senate agrees on passing this law so that way illegal minors can continue their education with their American friends whom they went to high school.
