The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was introduced in 2001, with yet to be completely passed into law, and was created in order to allow current, former, and future undocumented high-school graduates and GED recipients to pursue a three-step pathway to gain U.S. citizenship through work, college, or the armed services. The first step of this plan regards the recipient’s conditional permanent residence, meaning they have residential status for up to eight years. Secondly, the recipient must soon be granted lawful permanent residence, or a green card. And lastly, they can apply for citizenship after 5 years with their green card. To qualify for this, the child must have moved to the US before sixteen years of age, …show more content…
Annually, there are close to 65,000 undocumented immigrants who graduate high school or earn a GED in order to then apply for college, only to be declined due to their lack of citizenship. Not only are they constantly turned away, if they are accepted, they are granted no financial aid and are forced to pay out-of-state tuition despite how long they may or may not have lived in that state (Bennion). Regardless of their residential status, Dreamers are capable of being honor students, athletes, valedictorians, all of the above, and everything a permanent citizen is able to assume the role of. They are just as intelligent, and if we provide to them the same resource as those who are legal are given, they could truly become a role model to many alike. On top of everything, it is already challenging for a Dreamer to get a job thanks to their status as a citizen, without a higher education they may have an insufficient chance of working a career or in a position of select field. Under the DREAM Act, these children could work a job with a salary enough to take care of them and their families if need be. Furthermore, if these people are allowed access to an increased amount of jobs, it would lead to economic growth in our
The undocumented students that will benefit from the Dream Act are students that are practically U.S citizens but not by birth. Some opponents to the Dream Act don’t realize how much these students have suffered throughout their life. The article, “Standing up for Immigrant Students,” mentions all of these hardships and struggles; children are exposed to many dangers when crossing the border, and once they settle in the U.S they face other hardships and struggles like learning a new language, meeting the expectations of their instructors, and being discriminated against (4-5). Despite the obstacles they encounter in their path, many manage the way to do well in school and many overpass American students and become leaders in their community. Being undocumented becomes a major issue for undocumented high school graduates who want to continue their education because it’s nearly impossible to attend a University and get federal help because a valid social security number is required. These young adults are some of the best and brightest students in this country;
Many proponents of the DREAM Act argue that “these kids were brought to the United States before they had a say in their life circumstances. Denying them hope and opportunity is punishment for an act beyond their control” (Fitz). Supporters of the DREAM Act continually advertise this argument; They claim that the children are innocent, and the United States is treating these children unjustly, but not rewarding them with “legal residence and expensive college tuition subsidies is simply withholding benefits to which they never had any entitlement in the first place” (Mehlman). These children are innocent, and deserve to be given an opportunity to come to the United States and have a good education, but it should not be through the DREAM Act or illegal immigration. It is not un-American to prioritize United States citizens, and other immigrants waiting to enter the country legally. A gross misconception is that DACA is only opposed by a radical few who want to hurt innocent children and families, but “a recent Quinnipiac University poll shows that Americans across the political spectrum favor tougher enforcement of existing immigration laws over rolling out the amnesty welcome wagon.” (Malkin). Despite this poll, many patrons of the DREAM Act think that continued amnesty is a right the United States is taking away, when in truth, the general public supports tougher immigration law. The DREAM literally goes against popular opinion, as it sponsors amnesty, and not harsher immigration
Every year, about 65,000 American high school graduates are undocumented youths. Even though most of them have worked hard in school and seek further education or a high paying job, as any American would, their legal status, or lack thereof, makes it nearly impossible to achieve those dreams. Also, they live in fear of deportation, never to draw attention to themselves. Since 2001, Congress has been exposed to many attempts at a final solution for this issue. But is there really a solution for undocumented young adults who came to the United States as youths and now face so many problems with their lack of legal status? The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) provides an opportunity for undocumented young adults to have a permanent resident status by following specific guidelines. (Adding to thesis later)
Those eligible for the DREAM Act can provide so much to the economy if they were granted the opportunity to do so. It isn’t like they are going anywhere and, they have adopted so many American values into their lives. By giving them the amnesty they need and arguable deserve, our economy can only benefit. The government can generate more tax revenue from them, thus ending the outcry that they don’t pay tax. Also by giving them the same rights as citizens in the job market, they will be paid what they deserve thus possibly stimulating consumer spending by them.
About half a million children are born to undocumented immigrants every year. These children are not given the opportunities that they so rightly deserve. They spend their entire lives in the United States and are considered illegal immigrants. They are given no choice, but to live their life as an undocumented immigrant. That is what the DREAM Act is trying to solve. The DREAM Act, or Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors is a proposal that would provide permanent residency to undocumented immigrants who meet certain eligibility requirements (The DREAM Act). If the DREAM Act is approved, then the education will be improved. It will improve the economy, the military will receive a significant increase in recruitments, and
The dreams act is an American legislative proposal first introduced in the Senate on August 1, 2001, by Dick Durbin and Orrin Hatch. This bill would provide conditional permanent residency to certain undocumented residents of good moral character who graduate from U.S. high schools, arrived in the United States as minors, and lived in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment.
The public engagement of the white House posted on their web 10 reasons why they needed the Dream Act. Summarizing argument's that two secretaries including other people have made for the act. The dream act will help our economy marketing easier for immigration enforcements efforts on undocumented immigrants "Who pose a threat to our country" (Zehr, 2010,). The development relief and education for aliens minors act or dream act provide a path for legalization for undocumented high school graduates who meet the requirements of completing two years of college, military service, have entered United States before the age of 16, must be between the age of 12 and 35 to complete the application, good moral character, and no criminal record. If the congress passed the dream act it would add $329 billion to U.S. economy impacting it by $181 billion creating 1.4 million new jobs and more than $10 billion increase revenue by 2030. Many Dream Act opponents call it an immigration amnesty. They say the proposal would immediately reward immigrant children with conditional lawful permanent resident status – and, in just a few years, they would become U.S. Citizens. Their criticisms do not reflect how immigration agencies operate immigration reform will be addressed by the Obama administration this year. Republican senators they were ready to announce the outline of a broad immigration reform bill that would include a path to “earned legalization”
The Dream Act, the Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act is a bipartisan legislation pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL].The undocumented students will granted a conditional legal status. Within the 6 years the student must be able to obtain a degree from a four year university. After the 6 years passes the conditional status becomes a legal American citizen. The following is the detailed qualification process obtained from the official web site of the dream act:
Through amnesty policies such as the DREAM act, illegal immigrants will have more access to a better education. This act will allow “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,” (Basic Information about the DREAM Act
The Dream Act would allow undocumented students who have lived most of their life in the United States and have graduated high school access to further their education or serve in the military. Only certain students are able to qualify, and under very specific and strict circumstances would they be a step closer to obtaining legal residency. The Dream Act was drafted by both the republican and democrat party in an effort to better the country and give millions of undocumented students a chance for higher education. As a result, many of these potential students have to pass several requirements in order to qualify for the Dream Act. They have to have a clean record, and must have graduated high school, or have a GED. Show proof that they entered the United States when they were younger than 16 years old.
Also the dream act is helpful because it lends them financial aid and they get a social security to then pay the country back. While they get educated the country is getting a reward as well. Like in the case of Carla Chavarria, she works in graphic design and still goes to college during the night time and with the money she gets she is paying her college tuition (Gonzales). This is what every student in the United States faces right after high school. They get a job and go to college. But, unfortunately some immigrants stop going to school because they cannot afford the tuition and the books. They get a job in the fields and work because they do not get hired for being resident. The hope they had to achieve their dreams just fade away because they know they can not get educated like everybody else. When the dream act was passed many immigrants got faith and very happy because their dreams were going to actually become a reality. In a way this is very helpful to illegal immigrants that want to be successful and live a stable life.
In order for immigrants to benefit from the DREAM Act, the criteria previously mentioned must be followed, however, not many immigrants in the U.S can benefit from the DREAM Act because they do not meet one or more of the requirements. According, to the American Immigration Council, there are approximately 65,000 undocumented students that graduate from high school but do not attend college because they cannot afford it. Since not all immigrants fall under these guidelines, they cannot procced with the DREAM Act. This leads to question if the DREAM Act is giving everyone equal opportunity for all immigrants to pursue a higher education or the Dream Act is not living up to the expectations of all.
There is a bipartisan version DREAM act in congress since 2001, which give a path to citizenship and provide legal status to all undocumented young people The version would provide permit certain immigrant youth who have grown up in the United States to eventually obtain permanent legal status and become eligible for U.S. citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military, and It would eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status.( Zimmerman,2011). The undocumented students represents a 26% college enrollments compare to
To start, The United States is a country filled with immigrants and if were to deport them all it would make a drastic change and make an impact on the country. Congress tried to pass (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) the Dream Act a few times, but unfortunately it did not pass. Although the act was not approved the first time they continued to try until it was successful. In 2010 the act was finally established, but only in selected states. The few selected states included were Texas, California, Utah, Washington, New York, Wisconsin,
There is always that one student that has a strong work ethic and when things get exacerbated they keep working and just do not quit. These students are students who are eager to learn who want succeed, but when it comes to the end of their high school career, what happens? There are approximately 65,000 young adults that are undocumented and graduate each year from high school ( “The DREAM Act Immigration Access to Higher Education.”). These students want to achieve something prominent for themselves they have the grades and the qualifications so that they can attend college. The main obstacle standing in their way is citizenship or residency. This complication prohibits them from being able to apply for government