Thread: DREAM Act could help children of illegals afford college

DREAM Act could help children of illegals afford college

SUNDAY TELEGRAM (Massachusetts)
July 5, 2009 Sunday
Paula J. Owen, CORRESPONDENT

Laura B. Palleiro was a year old when her parents came to the United States illegally.

Because schools are barred by law from asking the immigration status of students, she was able to attend Leominster public schools and graduated with honors last year. Now she wants to study to be a nurse, but does not qualify for college financial aid because she is technically an illegal alien.

Ms. Palleiro is placing her hopes for a secure future in this country on a dream - to be more precise, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, which was introduced in both houses of Congress on March 26 and is supported by the president.

The legislation, similar to bills filed repeatedly since 2001, would provide conditional permanent residency to immigrant students who came here as children and later graduated from high school. The residency status would apply while they attend college or serve in the military. After six years, they could apply for citizenship.

Ms. Palleiro said she understands her parents were looking for a better future for her when they brought her to the United States, but under current immigration law it is not financially feasible for her to pursue a college education.

"I get upset and angry sometimes, more at my parents," she said. "In my senior year, my teachers were talking to me about college. It was more frustrating and confusing than anything else. What am I going to do with my life?"

Because of her immigration status, she cannot get a driver's license and she fears she will lose the job she started in the hospitality industry a few months ago. She also has no health insurance.

"I looked at community college, but I will have to pay for all the classes myself," she said. "I want to work as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and want to be an RN, but I would have to pay for classes little by little. If I pay for them myself, it will take eight years or more, if I even have the money, rather than four."

Bob Dane, a spokesman for the Washington, D.C.-based Federation for American Immigration Reforn, said FAIR's position on the DREAM Act is very clear: It is an amnesty plan disguised as an educational initiative.

"Giving higher education to illegals is at the educational expense of Americans," he said. "It means every time you admit an illegal to college, an American is turned away. It is fundamentally unfair."

A lot of colleges look the other way and admit illegal immigrants, Mr. Dane said, but the students are responsible for paying all tuition costs and fees at out-of-state rates. The DREAM Act would provide them access to in-state tuition rates, financial aid and a green card.

"We're not in favor of punishing children for the illegal acts of their parents, but we're not in favor of rewarding them, either," Mr. Dane said. "At the end of the day, the parents are rewarded when their children are granted amnesty. It's yet another benefit that provides more incentive. The only control is denying benefits, jobs and subsidized college tuition."

Ms. Palleiro said she understands the purpose of immigration laws is to protect the citizens of the United States. "I want a safe nation just like everyone else. This is where I want my children to grow up when I have them."

But she also wants to have a job and a career to provide for her children, she said.

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/En ... 73&start=3

Related Past Post:

ALIPAC: Lifting ban on illegal immigrants may profit college http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-885029-.html#885029

Everyone needs to understand what the non college route undocumented students are doing to the Class Ranking of American Students trying to get into American Colleges.

There needs to be a class action lawsuit against the public school systems for defrauding American Citizens out of College.

I firmly think the Dream Act is trying to do a cover up of the mess our government is in. The government is trying to make it legal the abuse to American Students with the Dream Act.

"I get upset and angry sometimes, more at my parents," she said. "In my senior year, my teachers were talking to me about college. It was more frustrating and confusing than anything else. What am I going to do with my life?"

Because of her immigration status, she cannot get a driver's license and she fears she will lose the job she started in the hospitality industry a few months ago. She also has no health insurance.

"I looked at community college, but I will have to pay for all the classes myself," she said. "I want to work as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and want to be an RN, but I would have to pay for classes little by little. If I pay for them myself, it will take eight years or more, if I even have the money, rather than four."

Frankly I could care less about making college affordable for children of illegal aliens and illegal aliens themselves! We should make college affordable for LEGAL Americans(US citizens who are not anchor babies and those who are legally here!) Look at this arrogant girl, she whines because she would have to pay for classes herself The "entitlement" stance totally teeds me off!

Well, welcome to America, where you PAY for what you need and want. Stop whining, stop looking for handouts and if you are illegally here - GET OUT!!!

DREAM Act could help children of illegals afford college


So we can help their children while our children will be lucky to get into a trade school, expecially if they are white.

"I looked at community college, but I will have to pay for all the classes myself," she said. "I want to work as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and want to be an RN, but I would have to pay for classes little by little. If I pay for them myself, it will take eight years or more, if I even have the money, rather than four."

So what would make her different from the thousands of Americans and legal immigrants that are enrolled in community college and paying their own way. Honey, you're not that special that you should get preferential treatment over American citizens. Many Americans are enrolled in community colleges because they simply can't afford a state university. Welcome to the real world.

DREAM Act could help children of illegals afford college

Who Cares! REALLY?
It's not my problem that you ruined your country.
My probelm is, YOU ARE RUINING MY COUNTRY NOW!!!

You want to come, get in line!
Learn English!
QUIT breaking the LAW!
YOU ARE A CRIMINAL IF YOU ARE ILLEGALLY HERE!

So what would make her different from the thousands of Americans and legal immigrants that are enrolled in community college and paying their own way. Honey, you're not that special that you should get preferential treatment over American citizens. Many Americans are enrolled in community colleges because they simply can't afford a state university. Welcome to the real world.

SOOOOOOOOOOOO, is she ignorant to the fact that America can't hire illegals to work?
So I pay for another countries criminals to come to "get an education?"
SCREW THAT!

Whining illegals SUCK!
Pissing & Moaning, step to the rear DEAR!

Our Government is all about helping any and every one except our own citizens.

This women has only her ILLEGAL parents to blame, they knew what they were doing when they broke our laws by entering the United States as ILLEGALS with their ILLEGAL child! Once the ILLEGALS arrive in the United States with their ILLEGAL "children" they continue their invasion of the United States with the ABUSE of the 14th Amendment to create Anchors and more ILLEGALS for United States Citizens to furnish benefits!

Link to source article for comments:

http://www.telegram.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 907050396/

Again the Pro-ILLEGALS comments on the source article always fall back on name calling, attacking anyone who disagrees attempting to label them as racists.