Imagine a world with an educated youth. Now imagine a parallel world where children are fighting to keep a smile on their faces, because, in truth, it is the only thing they have. In reality, this is what is happening. Youth, who have the privilege to be American citizens, are granted a very fulfilling education with a promise of a career. Children of illegal and undocumented immigrants do not have such luck. Some undocumented children in America have very promising futures and even a degree under their belts, but they cannot apply for a job because they have no proof of citizenship. A controversial topic is the matter of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education, for Alien Minors) which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain …show more content…
Again, America simply can’t afford not to pass the act. That attitude (that everyone is deserving) needs to be shown to Congress to prove a simple point. So, is this just an act, or something more?
Works Cited
Fitz, Marshall. "Lawmakers Should Pass the DREAM Act." The Children of Undocumented Immigrants. Ed. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Myth vs. Fact: The DREAM Act." 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2014
Haskins, Ron, and Marta Tienda. "Children of Illegal Immigrants Deserve Better Educational Options." The Children of Undocumented Immigrants. Ed. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "The Future of Immigrant Children." The Future of Children (Spring 2011). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2014
"Immigrants' Lament: Have Degree, No Job." Immigration and Multiculturalism: Essential Primary Sources. Ed. K. Lee Lerner, Brenda Wilmoth Lerner, and Adrienne Wilmoth Lerner. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 353-355. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 11 Apr. 2014
Malkin, Michelle. "Lawmakers Should Reject the DREAM Act." The Children of Undocumented Immigrants. Ed. David Haugen and Susan Musser. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from "Harry Reid's Illegal Alien Student Bailout." Michelle Malkin.com. 2010.
The reality that immigration policies and registration requirements create for undocumented students is a grim one; despite their scholarly capability, thousands upon thousands of undocumented students who have completed high school do not continue on with their education because of the lack of legal paperwork (DREAM Act). This has been the story line for countless undocumented valedictorians, like Grecia Cantu, who’s dream of going to Baylor University to become a teacher was plucked by a simple mandate of Congress (Smith). Despite having a presidential scholarship to Baylor University, Grecia’s future is hampered by her illegal status in the country and the inactivity of the DREAM Act in congress, which is due largely to its brisk opponents. Critics of the legislation falsely advocate that it grants preferential treatment to undocumented students (Malkin 1). In reality, the DREAM Act only grants qualifying individuals with a temporary residency, a driver’s license, and a work permit (Giving the Fact). This allows the students who meet the criteria the same tuition rates as natural-born citizens and a legal way to work and drive in the country. Another resounding critic among the opponents of the bill includes the common misconception that the DREAM Act will provide amnesty and forgive the federal offense immigrants committed when they entered the country illegally (Smith). In truth, only immigrants who entered the country during their youth, before age 16, are eligible for the benefits of the legislation. Once they apply, they will have to fulfill the requirements of completing a 2-year college or serve a 2-year term in the armed forces to finally receive resident status, not citizenship, after 6 years of proved residency (Creating Opportunities). If Congress allowed this legislation to
Undocumented students are becoming a growing outrage in the United States. It has been a constant battle amongst the students, the schools, and the Government. According to collegeboard.com, statistics shows that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (collegeboard.com).After graduating high school they face legal and financial barriers to higher education. This paper will address the importance of this growing outrage and discuss the following that corresponds to it.
This article analyzes the different effects the California Assembly Bill 540 has had on undocumented students. The study is done through a longitudinal study that interviews students before, soon after, and four years after the passage of the law. Through these finding it shows how the AB 540 bill benefits undocumented students and has made it socially acceptable for them to identify. In my paper I will use this source to explain what the bill does for undocumented students and how they benefit from the bill. I will support my argument by using this quote: “The law grants undocumented immigrant students an exemption from out-of-state tuition, thereby making some forms of higher education more accessible.” I will also use the topic of enactment
Wooldridge’s editorial is one of the controversial discussions both at the congress level and the country at large. This argument is one of those that thwart or impede the implementation of the DREAM Act which is to help the children of undocumented immigrants to enjoy some privileges such as obtaining in-state tuition and others.
It will attract more illegal immigrants, especially ones who are under the age of 16. It is just like any other form of amnesty to help illegals become legal. Therefore the DREAM Act seems as that it will fail. It may still have its chances to continue to work but it is just another way for younger kids to become legal in the United States. Those kids who have lived a majority of their lives being under 16 years of age will be helped and as Krikorian says. “The core principle behind this amnesty proposal is that it is aimed at those who have grown up here and are, psychologically and emotionally, Americans (Krikorian, 505).” Growing up in the U.S helps the children know more about the United States history which will help the amnesty process of the DREAM
The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors, more commonly known as it’s acronym, The Dream Act, is a parliamentary proposition to allow illegal aliens and their children to have the option of continuing their education into college. There are some differentiating opinions of this proposition. According to Yeh Ling-Ling, the main reason for Congress not supporting this bill is due to the lack of funding which will only increase the nation’s debt. With this being said, the students attending college through financial aid will be able to repay the debt they once claimed. It’s designed mainly for the people who have graduated high school or obtained a GED in America, but due to the immigration laws are unable to attend College or a higher academic setting.
In the United States, many families are currently being affected by the Dream Act’s failure to pass. The Dream Act would have given many undocumented children the ability to have a pathway to citizenship. The Dream Act believed in the importance of social support within the family by supporting family unification. However, due to its failure to pass, millions of undocumented children are now at risk of being deported and having their families divided. Although the U.S. government created a new policy known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), it is not providing immigrants with the same opportunity. DACA instead give undocumented people the opportunity to not be deported for a maximum of three years, but will never become a pathway to permanent citizenship. The Dream Act and DACA ultimately affects the physiological, emotional, and mental health of the immigrants who reside within the U.S.
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act of 2011, proposes to allow children of undocumented immigrants that were brought to the United States before their fifteenth birthday who have lived in America for at least five years straight to apply for permanent residency once they graduate from high school or achieve a GED. Conditionally, these children must be admitted into a college and complete a two-year degree or serve two years in the military. They must also be free of criminal convictions and have an honorable character. In addition, the DREAM Act would reverse current law to allow states to provide taxpayer subsidized in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants. An estimated 1.1-2.1 million illegal
Young illegal immigrants who would be able to benefit from the DREAM Act have difficulties when it comes to have access to higher education and high paying jobs because of their illegal status. And passing the DREAM Act will help them reach their educational and professional goals. Passing the DREAM Act will contribute in lowering the high-school dropout rates and will motivate young illegal immigrants to go to college. Moreover, without the DREAM Act, most of the young illegal immigrant are ineligible for most types of college financial assistance such as Federal loans and Pell grants. Additionally, many scholarships require applicants to have US citizenship or the
DREAM Act." Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2016.
The DREAM ACT (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) is proposed legislation that allows young and high achieving illegal immigrants to serve in the US military, and continue with higher education. This action will open opportunities for population that is essentially already American and who through academic achievements and clean criminal records. Also, the bill will allow eligible young immigrants to attain legal citizenship status. Those minors must pass background check and
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), is a proposed bipartisan legislation that is meant to provide amnesty and relief
The DREAM Act throughout its history has been repeatedly rejected by the US Congress and has been through many difficulties to be approved. This law has caused many frustrated attempts of undocumented immigrants and activists of this benefit. It is critical a thorough analysis of what this bill seeks to have so a better understanding of where it comes from and where it goes.
In recent months, undocumented immigrants across the country have been stripped of their rights. One thing that is on the minds of many citizens nationwide, is whether or not undocumented immigrants should receive instate tuition in the states they reside in. More specifically, it means whether undocumented students should pay higher rates than citizens to attend a university or college even if their work ethic is smarter than those with citizenship. More importantly, we’re oppressing, discriminating, and alienating a whole group of people due tour pride getting in our way. Particularly, undocumented students and their parents are getting affected by this situation as the whole point they came here was to have their children or themselves
Children of undocumented immigrants are entitled to public education, because the U.S. constitution guarantees that migrant children and children born in the U.S. have equal educational opportunities. European immigrants migrated to the United States without question of their legal status, and were able to easily blend in, however, in the current time, race plays a great part in how people perceive undocumented migrants. Children are the future of our country and their education shouldn’t be determined by their parent’s legal status. I plan to use this article to explain how immigrants are treated differently than they were in the past, and how race may play a role into it.