What is the DREAM ACT?
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act is a piece of proposed federal legislation that was originally introduced just prior to 9/11.The Dream Act was re-introduced in the House, in March 2009. The Dream Act is a pathway to citizenship for the children of illegal aliens who have graduated from high school, arrived in the United States as minors, and are of good moral character. If the child of the illegal aliens serves in the Armed Forces or attends additional college, the opportunity to earn conditional U.S. residency would be permitted.
The U.S. Military supports the Dream Act. The hard left of the Democratic Party supports the Dream Act. RINOs support the Dream Act.
I oppose the Dream Act as do the vast majority of American citizens.
The Dream Act is not limited to children. The Dream Act will be funded on the backs of law-abiding Americans.
Although it sounds wonderful, there are many issues that disturb me if the Dream Act ultimately passes both Houses and is eagerly signed by president Obama.
First: This highly controversial proposed law is being transacted in the lame duck session of Congress. If Congress wishes to bring this legislation up for discussion, do so in the 112th Congress, in January. See if it will fly in the shadow of the 2010 elections. The legislation would not pass in the new Congress, so the Left is going to try to ram it through the lame duck session. That’s patently wrong.
Second: illegal Immigrants may qualify by meeting the following requirements:
- Must be between the ages of 12-35 at the time of the passage of the Law
- Must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16
- Must have resided continuously in the United States for at least five consecutive years.
- Must have graduated from a U.S. High School or obtained a G.E.D. Certificate
- Must have good moral character
The problem noting the above is almost none of these requirements are verifiable because illegals have lived under the radar for generations. Applicants must have good moral character is almost a laughable requirement. The alien must not have been convicted of a major crime or drug related infraction (with the notable exception of the illegal immigrant being convicted of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana). Though noble in intent, this passage of the Dream Act is yet just another form of amnesty.
The Dream Act provides safe refuge for any alien, including criminals
Third: California would afford free tuition at the college level for any student who falls under the Dream Act. I say this in light of recent protests by students at UC Campuses. The Board of Regents raised the tuition for all UC students by approximately 8% to $11,124 per academic year… But not for illegal aliens. Education provided woul;d be free of charge to illegal aliens under the DREAM ACT. The financial aid plan called the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will be expanded to families earning up to $80,000 per year. The current threshold is $70,000 annual income. Most illegal alien families show income no where near even the lower figure. Meanwhile California flirts with bankruptcy and its budget deficit grows to in excess of $25 billion per year. According to the highly respected CAPS group (California for Population Stabilization); illegals cost the State over $10 billion. Passing The Dream Act will increase that staggering deficit.
What makes the lame duck Senate think it can pass the Dream Act? Simple: The radicals reached sour grapes vanquished Republican Senator Bob Bennett of Utah. RINO Bennett lost the Primary and he’s upset. This is payback, plain and simple. Bennet is the 60th vote in the Senate to end possible cloture (filibuster), and apparently the radicals and others on the Left have his attention and support. In my mind, if Sen. Bennett supports this legislation, he is a traitor.
It is estimated there are approximately 2.1 million illegal aliens who would be eligible for a DREAM ACT amnesty. In reality, no one knows if that number could skyrocket.
No on Dream Act, No on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Stop this wild out-of-control spending, now!
Roger Gitlin is a retired teacher and founder of the Santa Clarita valley independent minutemen and can be reached at [email protected] His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.