DREAM Act does NOT give amnesty

h3wlett · 09-28-2010, 10:27 PM

DREAM Act does not give amnesty to illegal minors

By Rina Gandhi
Published: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Updated: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 20:09

Quote:

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors, or more popularly DREAM, Act has been around since 2001, but it only recently gained national attention when Senator Harry Reid decided to attach it to the defense bill, which has passed consecutively for 48 years. This year on Sept. 21, defense bill S.3454 was four votes short of moving on to general debate. Republicans unanimously voted it down.

Many have condemned Senator Reid for wanting to tack it onto the DREAM Act, suggesting it hurts the democratic system. Strategically, it was a very smart decision. The DREAM Act failed by seven votes to reach general debate in 2007 as a stand-alone bill. Attaching it to a bill that most assumed would at least progress to general debate was a clever way to begin debate regarding the act.

Some argue that the act will force alien minors to join the military. But are there not people who join the military specifically as a way to receive free education anyway? We generally consider that a permissible motivation for U.S. citizens. Why should the motivation for joining suddenly matter now?

If individuals are willing to risk their lives for our nation, they should have that opportunity. Is it so hard to believe that these individuals genuinely want to serve what is probably the only country they have known through the military service?

This bipartisan act is well supported by both parties. However, in this society where immigrants are frequently blamed for rising crime, poverty and unemployment rates, Republicans withhold their support rather than risk the future votes of their party. With that in mind, let's examine the DREAM Act and quell some misconceptions.

The act does not give illegal immigrants citizenship. It gives individuals who entered the country illegally as minors and who have met other provisions, including graduating from high school and demonstrating good moral character, temporary legal non-resident status. This is essentially a temporary green card, giving them time to either earn an undergraduate degree or serve in the armed forces.

If they meet the requirements within the allotted six years, they may then apply for a permanent resident card. They are not guaranteed a resident card above anyone else; they are given an equal opportunity to apply.

These individuals must still finance all of the relevant fees, fill out all of the proper forms, provide all of the correct documents, pass a background check, have the means to support themselves, get a medical exam and pass a tough interview.

Then, if everything checks out, they receive a green card. Not citizenship, but a green card. They still cannot collect many public benefits, like welfare or social security, for ten years. They still cannot vote. They still can be deported for committing a crime. And they may apply for citizenship no sooner than five years after receiving the card. This act does not promise or immediately give any individual citizenship.

These individuals are not criminals out to steal our jobs. They are essentially Americans. They did not voluntarily cross the border illegally. They were brought as children by their parents from countries all over the world. They have completed or are about to complete high school. They have not committed crimes. They are comfortable using the English language. Many do not remember living anywhere but the United States. This country is their true home.

Each year, 65,000 of these Americans graduate from high school. We can give these 65,000 people the ability to fight for their country or earn a college education.

It is irrational to think that we will be able to deport even a fraction of these innocent individuals, burdened by the choices of their parents and circumstance. Why not let these minors help our nation economically, socially and culturally? Why not give them the opportunity to legally become what they essentially already are-Americans?

http://www.hilltopviewsonline.com/dr...nors-1.1652900

DA User · 09-29-2010, 01:18 AM

Its not 'Amnesty' but Republicans think it is that is why DA is still on hold.

Amnesty to me means giving away any kind of legal status to them without meeting any certain requirement.

clarkflip84 · 11:05 AM

We should send this to any GOP members, email them. Even though they might already know the measures, but also call them with information about the bill. These are gonna be the most trailing times for us Dreamers, if we want it to happen then we have to have the perseverance to finish the fight. Continue to pray for our Dreamer Bothers and Sisters, believer or non believer. And thank you and GOD Bless to the many people who are trying to get this bill passed.

I know I post Bible verses, but honestly it gives me the strength everytime I read it. I hope I didn't offend anyone

Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

peija · 09-29-2010, 12:00 PM

haven't heard from you in a while h3wlett, hows it been buddy?

h3wlett · 09-29-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peija

haven't heard from you in a while h3wlett, hows it been buddy?

It's been strenuous. Finishing up my last semester of university. It's been tough.

Hope all my efforts will one day be worth it.

I've actually been regularly checking the site. I even posted another article a few weeks ago, but one of the Nazi moderators, (probably Abaddon) deleted it.

To me, the most stressful aspect of this whole legislative process regarding the DREAM Act is that the right-wing conservative republicans and their supporters who so vehemently oppose the bill do so out of self-imposed ignorance of the facts.

Indeed, many of the Senators know that the DREAM Act is inherently fair and just. But, through slavish obedience to party, they choose to ignore their conscious, intuition, and the facts.

I believe America's bicameral legislative system has been transformed in recent times from something that was historically beautiful, to now something that is the essence of corruption.

I don't know how to change this, but I truly believe the system is broken, though not beyond repair.

I'm not religious, but I recall a verse from the Bible that goes as follows:

James 4:17

Quote:

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

But, alas, quoting religious text is futile, for those who oppose us are quite adept at using their religion to justify their hatred.

Meh.

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DREAM Act does NOT give amnesty