Thread: Dream Act still a dream (ALIPAC mentioned)

Dream Act still a dream
Thousands keep eye on bill that opens citizenship path
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/18/2010 09:16:39 AM PDT


Andrea Robles, a 20-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico who is struggling to pay for college because she can't get loans, is among more than a half-million illegal-immigrant youths and young adults in California who could be eligible to apply for legal status under legislation pending in Congress.
"I support it because I think that when everybody hears the word illegal, they think we're doing something wrong," said Robles, a Colton resident. "For me, when I'm going to school and working, there's nothing wrong with that."

She might find agreement from more than 2.1 million illegal immigrant youths - about 1 in 4 of whom live in California.

That's how many in the country could benefit from the federal Development,

Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, also known as the Dream Act, according to a report released by the Washington, D.C.-based Migration Policy Institute. One opponent of illegal immigration said the bill is nothing more than partial amnesty with a pretty name slapped on it.

"It's the nightmare act," said William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, based in Raleigh, N.C. "If we don't stop and reverse illegal immigration, pretty soon it's going to destroy the United States. See California. If you pass the Dream Act, America will be drinking her final vial of poison."

Under the bill, illegal immigrants under the age of 35 who came to the U.S. when they were 16 or younger, have lived here more than five years, graduated from high school and can demonstrate good moral character may apply for conditional legal status.

They would be allowed to stay in the country for six years under that status.

Students can convert their conditional status to permanent residency by graduating from a two-year college, studying at least two years toward a bachelor's degree or serving in the military at least two years.

Students receive green cards and could apply for citizenship, if the conditions of the probationary period are met.

While students such as Robles, who is looking to transfer from San Bernardino Valley College to Cal State San Bernardino, are excited about the bill's potential, the report estimates that only 38 percent - or 825,000 - of the 2.1 million potentially eligible beneficiaries likely would gain permanent legal status.

"Many potential Dream Act beneficiaries would face difficulties in meeting the legislation's higher education or military service requirements because of hardship paying for college tuition, competing work and family time demands, and low educational attainment and English proficiency," said Margie McHugh, co-director of the Migration Policy Institute's National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy.

The report also shows that access to educational opportunities for Dream Act beneficiaries could vary from state to state because of significant differences in college enrollment practices and tuition policies.

Still, illegal immigrant students remain hopeful that the bill will help them realize their dream of a college education.

Gabriela Cruz, a 16-year-old student at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino who is taking advanced placement courses, said without legal status, the best she could look forward to would be community college.

She was 9 months old when her parents brought her to the country illegally.

"I really want to go to college, and that would be a perfect opportunity to go," she said. "It's really expensive, and I would never be able to afford it. With the citizenship, I would be able to get a scholarship or at least a loan. It's really frustrating."

Gheen said what frustrates him and those Americans who oppose illegal immigration, is that students such as Cruz and Robles are seeking to take degrees away from Americans.

"Those seats in college are for the sons and daughters of American citizens and legal citizens, not the families that break our laws," Gheen said. "We're telling them no, you can't have that, it's not yours. It's ours. Our families built it. We have the constitutional authority to tell you to get out."

Elected leaders who oppose the bill say it rewards those that have broken immigration laws, while placing a fiscal burden on taxpayers.

A spokesperson for Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea, said while the U.S. is an "open and welcoming society," it cannot allow its immigration laws to be violated and ignored.

"Giving citizenship and in-state tuition to illegal immigrants is wrong and sends the message that we do not take our immigration laws seriously," said Jessica L. Parker, press secretary for Miller. Those officials who disagree with Miller say the Dream Act doesn't go far enough.

Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino, said in a statement that "it is wrong to unfairly punish those young people who come to America through no fault of their own."

Baca has introduced the People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy, or "Proud Act," which he says would give responsible immigrant students a realistic shot at citizenship "as long as they have kept up their grades, shown an understanding of U.S. civics, and stayed out of trouble."

"The bottom line is America needs comprehensive reform to fix our broken immigration system," Baca said. "Any attempts at immigration reform must include strong border security, tough punishments for employers who break the law, and a responsible pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are here to contribute."

Robles, who works in a restaurant and said she pays taxes on her wages, said her education could've moved along faster if she had the money to pay for certain classes that she wanted.

She did receive two scholarships.

One was a $1,200 scholarship from the Inland Empire Scholarship Fund, which gives scholarships to low-income, high-achieving Latino students throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

The other was a $1,000 scholarship from the Joe Baca Foundation.

Robles said she wants to major in English or Spanish and perhaps become a teacher.

"If the Dream Act passes, I can help this country," she said.

Gheen said illegal immigrants can contribute by going back to their homelands.

"We're encouraging illegal aliens who want to go to college to apply for school in Mexico," he said. "Mexico needs more help than we do."



http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_15544948

NO MORE REWARDS FOR ILLEGALS EVER. THAT IS WHY THEY ARE COMING HERE AND YOU MUST TAKE THEM AWAY IN ORDER TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION....
If you give them ANY Amnesty it just guarantees a push for the next one. Stop it now or your country is finished.

Dont let the lame sob stories get you to give away your country.

"I support it because I think that when everybody hears the word illegal, they think we're doing something wrong," said Robles, a Colton resident. "For me, when I'm going to school and working, there's nothing wrong with that."

Illegal means you are breaking the law. You have ben stealing from americans every day you have ben going to school. It costs about $10,000 for every year you have had taxpayer provided school from preschool to 12th grade. That adds up to about $130,00 that you should be made to pay back. By working here illegally you are stealing a job from someone who can legally work. So yes I find something wrong with you going to school and working illegally in the United States. If our laws were enforced you wouldn't be in this position. The people to blame are your parents for bringing you here and the federal government for alowing you to stay by not enforcing our laws.

Robles said she wants to major in English or Spanish and perhaps become a teacher.

Yes, from what I've seen of illegal students in my town, they don't speak English or Spanish very well.

disgustedamerican: I wonder if the problem is that they come from such a corrupt country, they don't recognize right from wrong. If it benefits them personally, they see it as okay.

I've seen enough

When these lil darlins marched a couple years ago a couple hundred of them marched down a street right behind my house , Mexican flags and screaming viva la raza

Yeah , My dream act would see every one of them deported , no questions ask

If these students are bright enough to go to college, then they ought to be bright enough to figure out they are still here ILLEGALLY regardless of the circumstances!

Instead of begging for scholarships (they don't want much, do they) they should be planning to go home and get in line like all those who want to come here legally and are waiting it out in their homeland.

I've talked to many who are here legally, who waited in line and went through the process which took years and lots of money, and THEY are NOT happy about this either!

added to the homepage

http://www.alipac.us/article5480.html

Duplicate Post:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-206291.html

Red Alert! Dream Act Amnesty!!!! Please take Action!

Go here:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-1092008.html#1092008

I just called my senators and representative. The person at Roland Burris' office actually had the nerve to argue with me. He said that the Dream Act is not an amnesty and is to help kids who were brought here against their will. He also said it will not displace American kids and that these kids will not be able to "sponsor" in their parents. I believe NONE of it, but wanted you all to know the crap we are up against.