For nine years the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was introduced in Congress. Every year, it failed. On Dec. 8, the DREAM Act passed in the House of Representatives by a 216 to 198 vote.
Advocates for the immigrant students the bill would help celebrated a major victory. But Charles Robbins, Stony Brook University’s vice provost for undergraduate education, said he doubted the bill would leap the final hurdle, passage in the Senate next week.
Robbins said that the bill’s chances were “not particularly good at this point” because groups in the Senate have already vowed to block it.
“None of these opportunities or freedoms or rights will occur to people unless it’s passed by both houses,” Robbins said.
Maria Contreras, a graduate student in sociology, observed that the DREAM Act is important to undocumented students who attend any educational institution.
“The DREAM act would signify that the endless work and struggles of all those working for a change has been reached,” Contreras, 23, said in an email. “It will mean that any student who values the importance of education will have an equal chance to be successful. It will mean that all students will be recognized for their academic abilities rather than for their legal status.”
Contreras was undocumented until late August of this year, when she obtained her resident card. She is still working towards getting the coveted green card. Her parents had first filed 10 years ago.
During her undergraduate years, she started working with high school students who were undocumented as well as college students, both documented and undocumented, on how to attain a higher education regardless of status. She and other Stony Brook students traveled throughout Long Island to high schools to present how undocumented students without social securities can apply to college and how to petition instate tuitions. After graduating, she was able to get a job at a non-profit organization that helps the Latino community.
“I think it’s crucial to empower the youth on just how important education is, especially the undocumented Latino youth who faces so many obstacles,” she said.
Stony Brook’s president, Samuel L. Stanley Jr., said he was glad to see the House pass the bill on Wednesday, since he has been a very strong supporter of it.
“I think it’s really, as the name suggests, part of the American dream,” Stanley said. “If you look at Stony Brook’s makeup, so many of our students come from families where they may be the first to go to college or come from families that are people who came to the United States without the standard papers.
“In terms of financial impact and so on, we haven’t done an assessment overall of what it would mean because we’ve been supporting every student, so we haven’t made any effort to do anything but provide financial aid to those who apply,” he added. “We’ve been living with the tenants of the DREAM Act essentially is what I would say.”
COSMIC RACE • Dec 12, 2010 at 11:48 pm
IMMIGRATION AND “REAL” AMERICANS
It seems that immigration is merely one of a host of hot-button political issues these days, but it is stirring public passions from our borders well into the heartland, so it is perhaps fitting to review nation’s historical experiences with this issue. When North and South America were opened to European colonization some five hundred years ago, the real Americans were the native inhabitants but they were quickly dispossessed and relegated to territorial reservations often far from their ancestral homelands. But even they had been emigrants, coming to the western Hemisphere from their origins in Asia. Everyone now living in the United States, is directly an immigrant, or is descended from ancestors who came here from somewhere else. In fact, all residents can claim the status of being a real American. The United States was created by successive waves of immigrants who primarily sought the grand opportunities which America offered. Whether one field political or religious oppression or merely sought greater economic opportunity, America was the beacon of hope that some around the world. This assimilation did not occur without painful tribulations and adjustments, but the real Americans of today now trace their origins to virtually every community, every religious and ethnic group, and every political persuasion in the world. Their unifying characteristic is their adherence to the rule of law and respect for others. In 1886 the people of France, in recognition of their friendships with the United States during the revolutionary war period, gave to the people of America one of its most recognizable symbols-the State of liberty. Subsequently emblazoned on it were the poetic words of Emma Lazarus, herself then a recent immigrant.
Joe • Dec 12, 2010 at 8:04 pm
To No Illegal Immigrants,
I just cannot believe your racism, prejudice, and ignorance.
You do realize that not all undocumented immigrants are Mexican right? They come from all parts of the world, including Asia, Europe, and even Canada.
You just can’t process this fact through your bigoted mind set.
Realize that Latino doesn’t equal Mexican, and that Mexican doesn’t equal undocumented.
Latinos have been living in the territory of the US since the 1500s, FYI.
kml • Dec 12, 2010 at 7:33 pm
The passage of the DREAM Act in the House on Wednesday makes me think how quickly we forget to be thankful after Thanksgiving. Instead of being thankful for the education and other opportunities they have already received, potential beneficiaries of the DREAM Act amnesty are asking for more. More education, more jobs, more benefits, and everything else that comes with amnesty and American citizenship.
These kids illegally received the benefits of American citizens. While the mantra of DREAM Act proponents is that their illegal presence is through no fault of their own and they didn’t have a choice in coming the United States, I cannot help but ask why the parents aren’t being held responsible. The parents had a choice and they chose to break the law, putting their children in this compromising position. The U.S. government should not take on the responsibility of other people’ s bad decisions.
The unfortunate fact of the matter is that parents make bad decisions for their children all the time. In the cases of illegal alien minors (up to age 29 in the revised DREAM Act), the parents took a risk and their children benefited through education and jobs, but the consequences of their actions catch up to them. Their misdeeds are revealed and their kids have to deal with the consequences just as children of American citizens deal with the consequences of their parents’ bad decisions that affect them adversely. Yet, no accountability is affixed on the parents who broke the law to bring their children here.
Too many people fail to realize that “ the land of the free” does not mean free from burden, responsibility, or consequences. While many of the human interest stories regarding the DREAM Act are compelling tales of personal struggle, law enforcement should not be based on convenience or individual circumstance. Period. When it is, everyone expects to be the exception and the rule of law crumbles into meaninglessness.
Another favorite refrain of the so-called DREAMers is that they are wholly unfamiliar with their home countries. Personally, this one doesn’ t resonate with me. I have lived in four different countries in the past four years. I’ ve moved to each one not knowing anyone there or the language. I learned a new language. I made friends. I made a life for myself. Many people all over the world do this and are better for it. In most cases, there is no reason these kids would not be able to do the same.
There are so many problems with the DREAM Act. But the bottom line is that no matter how you cut it, amnesty begets amnesty. How many more parents will risk bringing their children here illegally if we give amnesty to the ones here now? No one can know the exact number, but we know that it will be too many. Caroline Espinosa Numbers USA
kml • Dec 12, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Under the “Dream Act” parents could be sponsored for citizenship when their children turn 21 years old.
All the tinkering with the DREAM Act amnesty to try to get some extra votes to pass the bill is failing to address what probably is the single biggest problem with the bill. That would be its failure to turn off the jobs magnet that allowed the illegal-alien parents of the illegal-alien students to raise them in this country and into their present predicament.
This bill would give amnesty to millions of illegal aliens without doing a single thing to cut off the jobs magnet that caused the problem in the first place.
Under this bill, millions get amnesty and foreign parents can continue to bring their children here illegally and live here until the children are grown because there will be no mandatory verification procedures to stop them from keeping their jobs.
For five years, advocates for “comprehensive immigration reform” have said that, of course, any amnesty must be accompanied by enforcement measures to be sure that we don’t build up an illegal population in the future.
But now, those very same Members of Congress are trying to ram through the DREAM Amnesty that has zero enforcement provisions. Numbers USA
Ron • Dec 12, 2010 at 5:44 pm
Some of you are idiots. Asking people that grew up here and feel America, to go back to their homeland equates to someone asking you to go back to yours. Unless you’re Native American, anyone can ask you to go back to YOUR European, or your Middle Easter country. But, I’m pretty sure that this argument makes no sense to you. Think just for just a bit, how you would feel if you had grown up in America, feeling American, knowing only our American community and then being told that you are not American because you don’t have a piece of paper that says you’re a part of society. “Illegal immigrant Dreamers want to take away the Dreams of U.S. citizens” RIIIIIGGGHT. School is based on competition, I don’t understand how you would think they would be “taking” anything. Are you afraid of competition. If a piece of paper, or a few lines of code in a huge database say you’re a citizen, and that makes you better than anyone else, then you don’t have anything to worry about. But you don’t even want these people to prove their patriotism. Think above definitions and labels, we are human. Don’t take your hatred for yourself or your inability to achieve what these students are striving for, on them. All they are asking for is an opportunity not a free-ride. This would also produce 2.2 Billion for the country over the next decade. But if there is a hate, and it is racial, then man-up and say it.
Juliana • Dec 12, 2010 at 5:38 pm
To respond to your question Francis, Yes, parents will still be liable for excludability from the US. The students themselves would only be getting temporary residency until they complete all the requirement and then they can apply for residency. The point until they can get full citizenship is still a process, but at least there is some kind of path for undocumented American students who have excelled in their studies and know no other nation than this one.
It is a myth that there is no way to prove that or fake that you have been living in this country since before you were 16. There are elementary school records, library cards, high school diplomas, and in my case, as an “illegal” immigrant at Stony brook right now, I will have a college degree. I can tell you that I HAVE many honors and records to prove that I have been here since before I was 16.
I know that the media loves to not put a face to the ‘scapegoat’ minority groups such as undocumented youth, but I can tell you that those who would benefit from the DREAM act such as myself have a human identity and we are contributing to American society in ways beyong what many mis-informed people want to aknowledge.
Also, by using the world “illegal alien” you are being very rude and further instilling a notion of fear which taints logical thinking. In my case, I am American in every way except on paper, therefore I am ‘undocumented’, I am not a criminal and I NEVER broke the law. I have no criminal records but only records of excellence and community service throughout my academic career. There is a reason why I have never been deported and neither have other undocumented students and that is becasue we NEVER broke the law. If we had, we would have gotten deported.
Also (this is very important), most peole who are currently undocumented got here on an AIRPLANE not by crossing the border. They come in with visas, which is the legal way of coming in. Pleas get that right in the future when speaking of whatever argument you want to make. I don’t mind you expressing your own opinon, just please get the facts straight so you don’t make wrong assumptions.
As for joining the armed forces to get residency, I’m not so sure undocumented youth can do that, or if they are smart and have an academic career ahead of them they wouldn’t want to do that. I know myself, as an undocumented student, I would never want to consider that choice, but it would be nice that if a student without papers is sacrificing their life for this nation, that they be given recognition and residency. It would only be the righteous thing to do.
What I would like to let you know, is to please understand that we “illegal aliens” (I prefer undocumented youth) have idenities and are currenlty contributing to the flourishing of American society. We identify as American in every way. I didn’t know I was undocumented until I started applying for college. I love this country more than many other US citizens, and that is why I want to reside here legally. I don’t want to just be a burden on the system by remaining undocumented. If there was a way for me to become legalized I would have already done so but for now, the DREAM act is the only hope I have.
taxpayer • Dec 12, 2010 at 5:33 pm
The DREAMers were to leave the country upon turning 18. That makes them illegal just like their parents.
D. Stewart • Dec 12, 2010 at 5:32 pm
It would seem that 9 years of trying to cram through the DREAM Act would send a message to advocates that Americans are not interested in amnesty for illegals in any form.
jhon • Dec 12, 2010 at 5:19 pm
U. Dam high school drop out how many yrs did it take u to googl all dat,, educate urslves please people, they should give An iq test as requirement to leave a dam comment I’m tiard of ignorants!!!!
Francis • Dec 12, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Dream Act “Catch 22” trap and Amnesty
The most obvious question to ask, if the Dream Act passes in the Senate next week, are the parents still liable for excludability from the United States? If the parents are illegal by definition, can these people be deported? Let’s face it the students might get special relief under The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, but that doesn’t mean the parents are free and clear? Those who enter without inspection have committed a federal crime Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, and ICE are charged to knock on the door with an arrest warrant, once they know the abode of the student’s family? These scholars are the perfect GPS to zero-in on all the rest of the family under one roof. How is greasy Senator Harry Reid of Nevada and his hard Core liberal progressives going to slip this “Catch 22” around the Immigration and Customs Service? Yet the Lib-Democrats are insisting this in not any kind of Amnesty?
If the Senate has some sleazy amendment that states the parents cannot be deported, then this is simply another—AMNESTY–that is being slipped past the American people. Learn the facts, not lies, propaganda spread by the Left Wing Press at NumbersUSA. The Pew Hispanic Center, has estimated a total of 2.15 million persons who might qualify for the DREAM Act. Then simply estimate that if both parents entered America illegally, a projection can assume 5 million blood relation illegal aliens are in the student’s home, who can be charged with unlawful entry and taken into custody?
In addition–any Student–come to that, any illegal alien can join the military in time of conflict. One does not need the Dream Act to be recruited into the armed forces, using 8 USC § 1440, these illegal aliens can become naturalized citizens through expedited processing, often obtaining U.S. citizenship within half a year?
No Illegal Immigrants • Dec 12, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Illegal immigrant Dreamers want to take away the Dreams of U.S. citizens.
Go dream in your homelands.
It is obscene for so many to illegally force their way into this country.
There are only 2 million freshman 4-year college seats and 2 million dreamers. Where are U.S. citizens supposed to go to college?
The Dream Act will also give out green cards to many who will never qualify for citizenship. The strict restrictions are for citizenship, not for the green card which is almost automatic.
22 million American citizens are unemployed, yet 10 – 30 million illegal aliens want the legal right to more jobs.
If you illegals want to take over the U.S. then give U.S. citizens Mexico in return. I love the weather and beaches there and would move there if I could.