DREAM Act a grand aspiration for immigrants
For too long immigrants have been marginalized in America- now they have an opportunity to live and learn in America.
Jesse Goldberg
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Opinion
On March 26, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was introduced to both the House and Senate - a good first step in the right direction for immigration reform in this country.
The act's beneficiaries would be alien youth who:
1) entered the country under the age of 16,
2) have graduated high school or obtained a GED,
3) have good moral character (i.e. no criminal record) and
4) have at least five years of continuous residence in the United States.
Those who meet these conditions are granted six years of conditional permanent residence during which they must either obtain a two-year college degree or complete two years of military service. Upon completion of these conditions, individuals will be given the chance to adjust their residence status from conditional permanent residence to U.S. citizen.
It's about time we make it easier for upstanding individuals to become citizens.
The DREAM Act provides a specific outline for the type of individual to be considered for this new manner of citizenship. This is essential for any immigration reform that the U.S. commits itself to.
To come to this country illegally is a crime, and those who commit this crime should not automatically be granted the privilege of citizenship: United States citizenship is only a right if someone is born here.
However, as we have seen in numerous dimensions of U.S. society, different sets of rules and repercussions must be placed on minors than those that are placed on adults. We must be willing to see the potential for citizenship in all children and adolescents, even those who may be undocumented. The DREAM Act does this.
It targets individuals who have already demonstrated good conduct and presents them with the opportunity to achieve a goal in exchange for the individual's commitment to the U.S.
Some opponents of the bill maintain that it provides a path to legal citizenship for people who illegally entered this country. While true, this does not make the bill inherently wrong.
The act's beneficiaries would be alien youth who:
1) entered the country under the age of 16,
2) have graduated high school or obtained a GED,
3) have good moral character (i.e. no criminal record) and
4) have at least five years of continuous residence in the United States.
Those who meet these conditions are granted six years of conditional permanent residence during which they must either obtain a two-year college degree or complete two years of military service. Upon completion of these conditions, individuals will be given the chance to adjust their residence status from conditional permanent residence to U.S. citizen.
It's about time we make it easier for upstanding individuals to become citizens.
The DREAM Act provides a specific outline for the type of individual to be considered for this new manner of citizenship. This is essential for any immigration reform that the U.S. commits itself to.
To come to this country illegally is a crime, and those who commit this crime should not automatically be granted the privilege of citizenship: United States citizenship is only a right if someone is born here.
However, as we have seen in numerous dimensions of U.S. society, different sets of rules and repercussions must be placed on minors than those that are placed on adults. We must be willing to see the potential for citizenship in all children and adolescents, even those who may be undocumented. The DREAM Act does this.
It targets individuals who have already demonstrated good conduct and presents them with the opportunity to achieve a goal in exchange for the individual's commitment to the U.S.
Some opponents of the bill maintain that it provides a path to legal citizenship for people who illegally entered this country. While true, this does not make the bill inherently wrong.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
tari82
posted 4/30/09 @ 6:12 PM EST
Hi, I'm 27 years old and entered the country when I was two. I would benefit from the Dream act if does past. I did NOT enter this country illegally NOR am I currently illegally present, but after a few months I probably have to leave. (Continued…)
Post a Comment