Thread: (CA) REGION: DREAM Act dies

REGION: DREAM Act dies

Supporters pledge to continue fight, but face tougher challenge in 2011

By EDWARD SIFUENTES
North County Times - The Californian | Posted: Saturday, January 1, 2011 6:33 pm | (6) Comments

..Rallies, vigils and demonstrations could not save the DREAM Act.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and was supported by President Barack Obama, but the legislation died in December in the Senate.

It was the best hope for young people in North County brought into the country illegally by their parents to legalize their status.

For some, it could be the last.

Opponents of the bill said the measure amounted to a legalization program for people who came into the country illegally.

They said the measure would add millions of new workers to compete with American workers for jobs.

Supporters said the children of illegal immigrants were being unfairly punished for their parents' crimes.

Obama and other supporters said giving them permanent residency would boost the national economy and the military.

Even the bill's supporters agree that getting the DREAM Act ---- or any legislation that includes legalization of illegal immigrants ---- passed in the next two years will be even harder.

That is because conservative Republicans opposed to such measures will control the House and will have a larger share of the Senate.

In the next two years, many young people could lose their eligibility due to their age; last year's bill capped the eligibility age at 29, down from 34 in earlier versions of the bill.

A bill written by Republicans is likely to be tougher.

Twenty-four-year-old Jasmine, an Escondido college student, said she worried that in a few more years she may not qualify, even if the bill is passed and signed into law.

She did not want her real name used for fear of being deported.

"Not only myself, but all the other students who are 28 or 29, (waiting a few years to get the bill passed) would make a huge difference in their lives," she said.

A dream dashed

Jasmine's parents brought her into the country from Mexico when she was 2 years old.

A member of the Escondido Human Rights Committee, Jasmine last year helped organize rallies in North County.

Students and other supporters of the DREAM Act participated in demonstrations at Cal State San Marcos, Palomar College, MiraCosta College and at Escondido City Hall.

They joined many other students across the country who participated in marches, vigils and hunger strikes.

Opponents, including North County's all-Republican congressional delegation, say the bill rewards people who broke the law coming into the country illegally.

"If anything, it symbolizes how out of touch Washington is with the American people," said Kurt Bardella, a spokesman for Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista. "It's the idea that we should give people who are here illegally opportunities that American citizens would love to have but do not have access to."

Last year's bill would have granted legal residency to illegal immigrants under certain conditions.

They would need to have:

-- entered the country before the age of 16;

-- lived in the country for 5 years or more;

-- graduated from a U.S. high school; and

-- join the military or attend college.

An estimated 2.1 million immigrants could have been eligible, although probably a far smaller number would have met all the bill's requirements.

Some Republicans, including Issa, said the bill would give illegal immigrants access to lower in-state tuition fees at state-funded colleges and universities.

Others said that it would have amounted to a legalization program with a potential to add millions more workers at a time when many Americans are unemployed.

Some also jabbed at the age cap of 29.

"Those are pretty old kids," U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said during the House debate.

'The right thing to do'

Jasmine said it's not unusual for college students to be in their mid- to late 20s; she is studying for a master's degree and is likely to finish when she is about 28, she said.

"It's not a matter of them being too old," she said. "The situation is the same for a kid that is 21. It's a reflection of this broken immigration system."

The House passed the bill Dec. 8, with 216 votes in favor and 198 against it.

Eight Republicans broke ranks to vote in favor of the measure, while 38 Democrats who held a huge majority in the House voted against the bill.

GOP Reps. Issa, Duncan Hunter, R-El Cajon, and Mary Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, voted against the bill.

Bilbray opposed the bill, but did not vote because he was in California for his son's swearing-in ceremony to the Imperial Beach City Council.

On Dec. 18, the bill died in the Senate when it fell short of the votes needed to end debate and take a final vote.

The vote was 55-41, at least 60 votes were needed to move the legislation forward.

Immigrant rights activists pledged to continue to push for the bill even after a new majority Republican House is seated next year.

"It will be much more difficult," said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Los Angeles-based Coalition for the Humane Immigrant Rights. "Especially in the House where the Judiciary Committee will be led by people who do not support the DREAM Act."

Smith, the Texas Republican, is expected to become the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which oversees immigration legislation.

Nevertheless, DREAM Act supporters got a boost late last year when Obama pledged during a Dec. 22 White House news conference to continue pushing for the bill.

"We need to reform this immigration system so we are a nation of laws and we are a nation of immigrants," Obama said. "And at minimum, we should be able to get the DREAM Act done. And so I'm going to go back at it and I'm going to engage Republicans who, I think, some of them, in their heart of hearts, know it's the right thing to do."

www.nctimes.com

Jasmine said it's not unusual for college students to be in their mid- to late 20s; she is studying for a master's degree and is likely to finish when she is about 28, she said.

"It's not a matter of them being too old," she said. "The situation is the same for a kid that is 21. It's a reflection of this broken immigration system."

Another illegal invader clamoring on about how our immigration system is broken! Never mind the fact that they themselves by entering this country in violation of our immigration laws are the ones who broke it and now demand that giving them amnesty is the only way to fix it!

These people and their demands reek of ignorance that we as a nation should be ridding ourselves of - that is we have any interest in self preservation as a first world nation! Mexico has always been an enemy of this country and the demands of their illegal invaders now occupying this country are just another example of this!

A bill written by Republicans is likely to be tougher.
If the Republicans even write a bill that hints at any form of amnesty,THER'E DONE "We the people" have been pushed too far on this Issue. IT STOPS NOW

Originally Posted by jean

Jasmine said it's not unusual for college students to be in their mid- to late 20s; she is studying for a master's degree and is likely to finish when she is about 28, she said.

Why aren't the school Admin. denying her application for acceptance?
Shouldn't they be calling ICE? The rule of law is only applied to and forced upon American's who pay for everybody's free everything!

You know TS I really like your reform policies!
"GET OUT AND STAY OUT!"
Maybe you should run, not for public office, but down to the 7-11 and grab me another 6pack of Bud!

Originally Posted by stevetheroofer

You know TS I really like your reform policies!
"GET OUT AND STAY OUT!"
Maybe you should run, not for public office, but down to the 7-11 and grab me another 6pack of Bud!

Maybe I should run for public office

Dream on guys!! Too bad for you there is a new sheriff in town(republican congress) and not only are you not getting the nightmare act, a lot of you are getting a one way ticket back to where you belong. Would love to help you pack.

Originally Posted by topsecret10

Maybe I should run for public office

You have all our votes for sure!