Dream Act Could Enable Illegal Aliens to Graduate

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Written by Amanda Hankins
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On March 26th, 2009 the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), was introduced to the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. If passed, this bill will provide conditional residency to undocumented immigrants who have graduated high school and have a clean criminal record.

The problem is that the DREAM Act, originally introduced by Senator Richard Durbin in 2007, has been defeated in Congress numerous times. The original version was defeated by only 8 votes in 2007.

"Politicians are scared of it. They think that it is immigration reform, instead of education reform" said Dante John Terminello, a University of Central Florida student and co-founder of the Central Florida DREAM Act coalition. The coalition helps to lobby congressmen and educate the public on the DREAM Act.

The DREAM Act is incredibly provisional; with nearly 10 million illegal aliens in the United States, it is projected that only 65,000 undocumented Americans would reap the benefits of this bill per year according to the DREAM Act Portal, an online community for undocumented youth.

Juan Carlos Barrientos, a graduate student at UCF, was one of the lucky ones. Barrientos immigrated here from Colombia when he was 10 years old and graduated high school with no form of identification. However, when Barrientos attempted to go to UCF in 1998, they wouldn't even allow him to apply. He obtained citizenship six years later. "They just dream to have a normal life," said Barrientos. When asked what inspires him to lobby for something he doesn't need he said, "I used to need it."

Through recruiting, educating, and peaceful gatherings, the Central Florida DREAM Act Coalition is gaining momentum in their fight for a "normal life." Their efforts recently paid off.

The University of Central Florida recently passed the DREAM Act Resolution, a written support for the DREAM Act itself-something that Florida State University already endorsed.

"Even though I am still able to go to college, I could still benefit from [the DREAM act] passing," said Andrea Medina, a sophomore who immigrated here 8 years ago from Venezuela. "This would give me residency and the ability to take out loans or go to law school, I would no longer be just an X."

The journey is not over yet for the 65,000 Americans who will graduate this year without documentation.. Andrea Medina said, "If the DREAM Act were to pass, I would have the confidence of knowing that what I am doing right now has a purpose, I would know that all my dreams could come true. No more "maybe this year." Isn't that what America is all about, anyway? "


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