Stand for the DREAM Act, for our future

A recent letter to the editor (A dream for illegals, not taxpayers) presents one side of the issue, which motivates me, in return to present this letter. First and foremost, I believe it's important to note that this is not a black and white issue, it is not a legal v. "illegal" issue. It is an issue that is deeply rooted in our community and requires our attention as it affects us all.

"This bill isn't controversial, it's common sense," said Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy, who just passed a state level DREAM Act. This bill has received consistent bipartisan support since it was first introduced in 2001.

This bill would benefit our communities in Iowa by allowing select, talented students a chance to give back to the communities that have invested in them for years. Without this common-sense piece of legislation, citizenship and higher education are out of reach for these students. Not only would they be forced to leave the only country they've ever known as home but also be driven to remain in the underground workforce while America is deprived of the increased economic productivity and tax revenues provided by a better educated workforce.

Let's not forget those benefiting from the DREAM Act have only been victims of our broken immigration laws. Our outdated laws, which are practically unenforceable, driving too much immigration into the black market due to the lack of legal and orderly channels for those who want to work and contribute to this country. Every year hundreds of students graduate high schools across the nation and from our very own Marshalltown High School, disillusioned and distraught. These students are left with little to no options, often working at any job available to them while having the potential for so much more.

It's time to restore the American ideal of equal opportunity for students who want to be productive contributors to our society.

The DREAM Act would strengthen our economic competitiveness, uphold our values as a nation of immigrants and restore the rule of law.

http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/....html?nav=5004

It's amazing how there are a lot of Dreamers in places like Iowa.

Dreamers!