Give youths chance to realize American DREAM

BY JAVIER PALOMAREZ

Special Correspondent

Published: December 15, 2010

This week, our elected officials are presented with the occasion to pass legislation that will propel the economic recovery of our country by providing our youth the opportunity to realize the American dream.

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) urges the passage of The DREAM Act.

The USHCC serves as the umbrella organization for over 200 local chambers across our country, representing the interest of Hispanic businesses that generate nearly $400 billion in revenue annually — businesses whose continued prosperity relies on today's youth and tomorrow's entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, scientists and engineers.

The DREAM Act is a perfect example that today the American "DREAM" is still alive and well in our nation. If passed, this historical bill will provide thousands of youngsters the opportunity to continue their education and serve our nation. As we work together toward the economic recovery of our country, it is important that our hardworking and promising youth be part of the solution.

Recent studies show that The DREAM Act will increase revenues in our communities. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimate of The DREAM Act shows that the legislation will increase revenues by $2.3 billion in the 2011-2020 period. After accounting for spending, the CBO and Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that the bill will reduce deficits by about $1.4 billion over the 2011-2020 period.

According to a recent study by the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), students impacted by The DREAM Act could add between $1.4 to $3.6 trillion in taxable income to our economy over the course of their careers, depending on how many ultimately gain legal status. This income is substantially higher than the income they would earn without a college education.

Further, the act provides a vast return on money that our country has already invested while preparing our country for the global economy.

The students who will benefit under the act have been raised and educated in the United States, and state and local taxpayers have already invested in the education of these children in elementary and secondary school. Today's global economy requires an educated and skilled workforce capable of acquiring, creating and distributing knowledge.
This is why they shouldn't be able to attend any school in America. First we owe them k-12, then we owe them college, then we owe them citizenship. We owe them, we need them. Enough with the emotional blackmail
The DREAM Act will play a significant role in the nation's efforts to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 and create a group of talented, multi-lingual and multi-cultural workers who will help America compete with innovators throughout the world.

As national, regional and local representatives for nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide, the USHCC encourages the members of our Senate, House of Representatives and our country's leaders to look past political differences and collaborate in the passage of The DREAM Act.

We remain confident that these citizens will continue to help make our country a leader in the global economy.

Javier Palomarez is president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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