DREAMers are pushing their luck

Ianus · 12-19-2012, 11:31 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/19/opinio...ette-dreamers/

Quote:

I know just what a lot of those so-called DREAMers deserve to get for Christmas: a scolding. There are good and bad actors in every movement, and the bad ones -- if not kept in check -- can drag the good ones down with them.

The term DREAMers refers to the estimated 1.4 million to 2 million young illegal immigrants who might have gotten some relief if the DREAM Act, which offered legal status in return for attending college or joining the military, hadn't been torpedoed in the Senate in December 2010.

Having declared their intention to better themselves, some in the DREAMer movement now insist that they're entitled to better treatment than run-of-the-mill illegal immigrants. You know, like the hardworking and humble folks who cut your lawn, clean your house or care for your kids. In fact, the DREAMers seem to suggest they're due a reward for good behavior.

At times, these young people act like spoiled brats. They don caps and gowns and disrupt committee hearings and occupy the offices of members of Congress. They dare police to arrest them, and then act surprised when it happens. They're not realistic, or respectful. They don't ask. They demand.

As we learned recently, the DREAMers have a whole wish list of what they want from Congress next year after what is expected to be a humdinger of an immigration debate. A few weeks ago, more than 500 of these young people -- and their supporters -- were brought together in Kansas City, Missouri. by a well-funded organization called "United We Dream," which bills itself as the largest immigrant youth-led network in the country. At the United We Dream 2012 National Congress, attendees voted for a national platform that demands the following:

-- "Fair treatment for DREAMers and our families and communities, including a road map to citizenship for 11 million Americans without papers and an end to senseless deportations and abuses";

-- "The ability to travel without fear, ensuring all immigrants have access to driver's licenses and the ability to visit family in other countries";
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-- "The elimination of barriers to higher education for immigrant youth by extending state and federal financial aid opportunities, as well as in-state tuition rates to DREAMers available to our peers";

-- "An end to excessive and costly immigration enforcement policies which separate families and divide communities, such as 'Secure Communities,' E-Verify, 287G, and roadside checkpoints";

-- "Access to health care and safe, fair working conditions and equal protection under the law for all"; and

-- "Growth and diversity of our movement for change, intensifying efforts to become more inclusive of non-Latinos, LGBTQ communities, differently abled people, people of faith, and other groups."

Gee, kids, can we get you anything else? Maybe free massages the next time you stage a sit-in? These kids want it all.

They demand more than just the ability to live in the United States legally and not have to worry about being deported as many others have been. This is no small thing. The Obama administration removed more than 1.5 million illegal immigrants over the last four years, and there's every indication it plans to remove just as many in a second term. Some of those who have been deported were DREAMers, despite President Obama's claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement is removing only hardened criminals.

If you believe that, you're probably also expecting a portly fellow in a red suit to come down the chimney on Christmas Eve.

Last summer, Obama announced a deferred action program and offered to stop deporting DREAMers. Under the program, undocumented youth who are eligible apply for a two-year work permit. What happens after that, no one knows.

The DREAMers chalked up a victory. But what some seem to really want is the golden ticket: U.S. citizenship. And they want it yesterday. They're convinced that they deserve it, and they'll settle for nothing less. Many of them reject, even ridicule, proposals by Republicans in Congress to give them legal status without citizenship -- and the voting privileges that come with it.

While they probably don't realize it, their public tantrums are turning people against them and hurting the chances for a broader immigration reform package. And if they set back that cause, heaven help them. They'll sink the progress for a group of people who have given more, worked harder and made greater sacrifices -- people like their undocumented parents. You know, the people who brought them to this country in the first place for a better life, and then fed them, clothed them and sheltered them. These are the folks who told the DREAMers they were special, long before that became the official position of the immigration reform movement.

That doesn't sit well with a lot of Americans -- especially U.S.-born Latinos who were raised to believe that, in this life, you get what you earn. According to polls, some 80% of them support the DREAM Act. But, for a while now, I've detected some discomfort with the DREAMers, particularly their tone and tactics.

It comes from people like Arnold Torres, a Mexican-American political strategist in California (disclosure: he's a friend and business partner) who supports comprehensive immigration reform and has the credentials to prove it. More than 25 years ago, Torres was executive director of the League of United Latin American Citizens and helped shape the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. Today, a lot of folks on the left talk about creating a pathway to legal status for millions of the undocumented. This guy actually helped do it.

For almost a year, I've been listening to him grumble about the DREAMers and their goals.

"It appears that the agenda was all about getting attention, believing that this would solve their issue" he said. "They seem to be saying, 'If you pay attention to me, I become powerful. So we may be undocumented, but we are powerful now. You mistreated us. You're denying us our dream. Now we demand that you do this for us.' Attention is necessary, but demands are not. We want solutions, but not only for one segment of a much larger community in need."

Torres worries that the DREAMers could, through their hubris, alienate supporters and make it harder to win the backing of Republicans for a larger immigration reform plan.

A lot of DREAMers are drunk on entitlement.

But why should this surprise us? Feeling entitled is the American way. And these kids are as American as they come. They may have been born in another country, but -- unlike their parents -- they were raised in this one. They bleed red, white and blue, use English as their primary language and tweet up a storm before breakfast. And in a country whose motto has gone from "E Pluribus Unum" to "Gimme, gimme. Where's mine?," they're not about to be left behind.

DREAM'ers weren't born; they were created. Not long ago, the conventional wisdom in Washington was that immigration reform wasn't going to happen soon. So forget women and children. It was DREAMers first. No wonder these kids think they're special. Everyone tells them so.

There's only one problem. These people are still in the United States illegally. They don't like being reminded of this, but it's true. So they'd be wise to tread lightly -- especially since they don't have the leverage they once did.

These kids are just not that special anymore. That is, except to themselves.

jamesp · 12-19-2012, 11:54 AM

I am sure there are DREAMERS who think that way. But I personally wouldn't wanna associate myself with that group. Just because I have worked hard for my excellent education from world class universities, doesn't mean that I am entitled to more privileges than those who are breaking their backs day in and day out in the central California farms or those who have been working as a busboys for a decade to feed their families.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ianus

Having declared their intention to better themselves, some in the DREAMer movement now insist that they're entitled to better treatment than run-of-the-mill illegal immigrants. You know, like the hardworking and humble folks who cut your lawn, clean your house or care for your kids. In fact, the DREAMers seem to suggest they're due a reward for good behavior.

choukette · 12-19-2012, 12:17 PM

I don't get it, since when demanding to be treated like a decent human being become bratlike behavior. Some people lie on asylum, others do fake marriage to get papers. Dreamers only rally outside of federal offices to bring attention to this humanitarian crises plaguing a lot of us here. Judging from all the internet sourcing in the article, I am sure that airhead of a writer was too lazy to get off his behind and go do some real research in the field before writing garbage like this.

cacheton011 · 12-19-2012, 12:29 PM

I bet there were people like Ruben during Dr. King's time. While it is true that it seems like we're asking for too much and we're effectively pushing our luck, what else are we supposed to do?

Stay home and hope the government gives us a "handout". No. In the face of injustice, one must act.

When reading these articles, I get the feeling that these writers see us as being less than human. Thus, we should be happy with what we've got.

Some say we don't deserve citizenship and benefits such as financial aid.... What they seem to ignore is that we, our parents along with our relatives, pay taxes. They also seem to ignore that immigrants contribute to the SS fund every year.

I'm grateful for DACA, but that doesn't mean that I'll settle for just that.

I'm an American, and just like many Americans, I will not settle for left overs. I don't want the government to hand me a job or anything else. I want a permanent fix to my situation so that I can buy a house, car, and start my own business. YES, we dreamers are capable of creating jobs. All we need is a little bit more stability in our lives.

When we "push our luck", we're pushing politicians not the people. (one can argue a lot about this)

Politicians don't work for the people, they work for votes. Therefore they work for the votes of our friends and relatives who support our cause.

chocolatedrop · 12-19-2012, 12:44 PM

Well let's face it we are here illegally,through no fault of our own for some of us ..l believe we should have our own bill,cause CIR will be impossible to pass in the house..hell the Dream Act ain't no picnic either..I don't feel entitled ,but I do want a chance at becoming a productive citizan of the US..I could really care less about naturalization...a GC with the ability to travel back home and come back to my known home is all I want..and in state tuition ...The US owes me nothing

Kristof · 12-19-2012, 01:33 PM

I dont understand. Most of those people in that activist group probably have their relief from DACA already and their complaining... Yes, I can understand why. But instead of complaining they should ask for the DREAM ACT/CIR ASAP!! Because, I still dont have my EAD and its been 4+ months since I applied on DAY ONE(August 15th).

Think about it. Policy Changed on JUNE 15th.... and its been half a year and I still havent recieved TEMPORARY relief...So, how long am I supposed to wait for the FULL RELIEF???

xangal · 12-19-2012, 01:34 PM

This is a terrible article with real consequences to our movement.

cacheton011 · 12-19-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristof

I dont understand. Most of those people in that activist group probably have their relief from DACA already and their complaining... Yes, I can understand why. But instead of complaining they should ask for the DREAM ACT/CIR ASAP!! Because, I still dont have my EAD and its been 4+ months since I applied on DAY ONE(August 15th).

Think about it. Policy Changed on JUNE 15th.... and its been half a year and I still havent recieved TEMPORARY relief...So, how long am I supposed to wait for the FULL RELIEF???

Wow. You still haven't been approved? That's brutal. Your name must be Joaquin el Chapo Guzman. Man that sucks.

I hope you get approved by Christmas.

JMA89 · 12-19-2012, 01:42 PM

I read this today while in between job interviews.(Feels good to say that) I agree with him to an extent, but most parts just seem like an attack on DREAMers. A lot of the comments on it were also in disagreement with what he wrote. I know I am not entitled to all the things Citizens are. I mean come on guys we must show these people that we are willing to work for what we want and not just sit in front of a government building demanding that these things be handed out no strings attached. We advocated for an opportunity to stay, work, study, and travel within this nation and we got that. Why should we push our luck and start making demands instead of doing what got us this far and advocating/working for those rights. We can't let a small group of DREAMers who feel entitled ruin the opportunities others worked hard create.

JMA89 · 12-19-2012, 01:51 PM

"Many of them reject, even ridicule, proposals by Republicans in Congress to give them legal status without citizenship -- and the voting privileges that come with it."

I'm a bit confused about that statement. Last time I checked the right to vote is given to only citizens according to the constitution. Did the Republicans come up with some plan to give us the right to vote without giving us citizenship?

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DREAMers are pushing their luck