OPINION & EDITORIAL
Legislation to give immigrants rights they deserve
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Also by Hannah Karns:
- Legislators serve up chicken soup for the seriously ill soul (November 30, 2007)
- ASM not perfect, but still working (October 31, 2007)
- Election day voters left hanging by bill (October 17, 2007)
- Legislation to give immigrants rights they deserve (October 4, 2007)
- UW offers bogus two-for-one special (September 20, 2007)
Related Stories:
- The key word is 'illegal' (December 4, 2003)
- Green-light immigrants (February 28, 2005)
- Assembly bill rewards illegal immigration (November 10, 2003)
- Herb Kohl: True champion of education (November 9, 2007)
- 'Immigration rights' demonstrators lack credible message (April 13, 2006)
by Hannah Karns
Thursday, October 4, 2007
It would seem obvious that, upon graduating high school or receiving a GED, a student should be able to pursue higher education opportunities such as attending the University of Wisconsin. However, according to the National Immigration Law Center, approximately 65,000 graduating seniors each year experience difficulty in doing so. They are hardworking students and good citizens, yet are punished for their parents' actions.
They are the children of undocumented immigrants in the United States. They experience difficulty acquiring financial aid and in-state tuition because they have immigrated illegally. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, more commonly referred to as the DREAM Act, seeks to change this inequality within the educational institutions of America.
The DREAM Act, first introduced in 2001, has been circulating throughout the U.S. Senate ever since. According to the National Immigration Law Center, the DREAM Act would give students — those who immigrated illegally between the ages of 5 and 16 years old — the opportunity to apply for "conditional lawful permanent resident status" upon graduating high school and demonstrating good moral character. Although "moral character" has several interpretations, the greatest measure is a student's criminal record and participation within the community.
The conditional permanent residential status would typically last for six years. In this time, the student must either be enrolled in a university and actively seeking a degree for two years, participate in the military for at least two years or complete 910 community service hours. That is an average of approximately 150 hours a year, or a little more than three hours a week. Another provision is that a student may not travel abroad for an extensive period of time.
Conditional permanent residential status provides undocumented students with a path to citizenship. If a student completes his requirements and remains out of the criminal justice system, he would qualify to apply for citizenship. Currently, an undocumented student cannot apply for citizenship because he immigrated illegally. Furthermore, even upon acceptance into an institution of higher learning, the student often has a very hard time affording it.
Financial aid, as it currently stands, is not extended to undocumented students, thereby severing opportunities for many of those who wish to attend institutions of higher education. The DREAM Act would also ensure that financial aid becomes more accessible to these disenfranchised students.
This bill is important for several reasons.
First, it would strengthen the economy. According to the National Immigration Law Center, "the children of undocumented immigrants are far more likely to drop out of high school than are students who were born in the U.S." A high school dropout is more likely to utilize a social service such as welfare, which is funded by tax dollars. If the dropout rates were to decrease, reducing dependence on social welfare programs, it would save American citizens millions upon millions of dollars currently allocated for these programs.
With the addition of new citizens comes an addition to tax revenue. In 1999, RAND, a global non-profit think tank, estimated that the average Mexican immigrant who receives his or her degree from an institution of higher learning will pay $5,300 more toward the government and cost the government $3,900 less in terms of "criminal justice and welfare expenses" each year. That is an incredible contribution that totals $9,000, which can be allocated to expanding university programs, outreach to these communities, etc.
The DREAM Act would contribute positively to the diversity of campuses throughout the nation as well. A campus that is diverse is a campus that thrives. With a multitude of opinions and cultural backgrounds, a university has the ability to reach its potential for progress. The 65,000 students that meet the DREAM Act standards would contribute positively to campus culture, further enriching the experiences of every student.
But above all, it is the right thing to do.
A student who has become a contributing member of society should be allowed the opportunity to continue to contribute. It is outrageous to hold a minor accountable for the actions of their parents that are out of their control.
Minors who crossed the border alongside their families had no choice in the matter, so why should they be penalized?
These students could have attended high school with you, made that game-winning shot in the basketball game or received the valedictorian medal at your high school. They are students just like us and they deserve the opportunities U.S.-born students are provided.
It is society's responsibility to ensure that every child has the opportunity to pursue academic success. Thus, the DREAM Act should be passed.
Hannah Karns (hkarnes@wisc.edu) is a sophomore majoring in international studies and political science.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 10:03am):
"They are hardworking students and good citizens"
They ARE NOT citizens!!!!
They are citizens of some other country. SEND THEM BACK.
It is outrageous to reward them for the criminal acts of their parents and this will only encourage further criminal activity.
How can anyone think that citizens of other countries need any additional incentives to illegally enter the USA?
I don't understand how anyone can believe that breaking the law should be rewarded instead of punished.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 11:25am):
10:03 - funny logic.
If they go to college, they are, for all intents and purposes, separate from their parents, and if they immigrated between the ages of 5 and 16, it is silly to think that they should be punished for their parent's transgression.
As anti-illegal immigration as I am, I do not believe the children of illegal immigrants should be penalized.
You make a lot of sweeping generalizations and do not think through what the article's actually saying.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 12:52pm):
What "funny logic"?
Reward law breaking = More law breaking
It's REALLY simple.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 1:06pm):
Then the children of crack-head parents shouldn't be penalized for their parents' crimes by a grossly low socioeconomic status. Let's just take all the kids of criminal parents and make sure they have fantastic lives. This is the role of government - to make sure everybody's life is great.
Absolutely not! We allow tens of thousands of immigrants in each year as well as student visas and guest worker programs. If these people can't follow the system, the system can't help them. They broke the law - there has to be a penalty (or at least a lack of BENEFITS!). End of story.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 1:37pm):
Children of illegal immigrants should definately not be penalized. It's not their fault that their parents brought them here illegally. It is immoral to hold a minor accountable for actions of their parents. They had no choice but to travel with their parents.
I strongly support Dream Act because those children deserve opportunities to succeed themselves.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 3:56pm):
The secret of the Dream Act is that it's not just for kids who wanna go to college. Under the Dream Act, anybody who claims to have been here since they were a teenager is granted citizenship. Proof is not necessary. It's blanket amnesty for everyone in the disguise of "Help the children!" because that's more appealing. And you've all fallen for it because you won't take the time to actually read the damn act. You're the reason this country is going downhill: you can be duped into anything because it's called something good like "Dream" or "Patriot." You're simple, period.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 4:46pm):
Amnesty? Please, become informed and know exactly what the Dream Act is all about. First of all, an amnesty is a pardon, and the Dream Act is not one. You have to actually earn the legal status. Also, once a student completes the six years of condition residency along with 2 years of higher education and an impeccable morale, then it's when they will receive permanent residence not citizenship. There is huge difference between permanent residency and American citizenship.
Also, proof is in fact necessary. It's not as simple as some people make it look. Not every child that was brought into the U.S. will be able to adjust status.
These kids are U.S. citizens. They have grown in this country, and they don't know any other country than the U.S. They belong here. This is their country. I'm a strong advocate of the Dream Act, and I believe these kids are the future, and they should not be penalized for what their parents did.
Anonymous (October 4, 2007 @ 5:53pm):
"These kids are U.S. citizens."
THEY ARE NOT CITIZENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Giving parents MORE incentive to sneak their childen into the USA illegally will absolutely increase the amount of criminal activity.
Anonymous (October 5, 2007 @ 12:18am):
Outrage brought by misinformation? Or just passion overload?
I find it true that children brought here are in fact NOT citizens. But as the argument stands, they should not be punished for the petty faults of their parents. It would be really good for the economy to have these children contribute to our society.
Send them back? And what? Ignite a hatred toward the only country they grew up in and turned them away? We already have Castro, bin Laden, Kim Jong Il, Chavez, Ahmadinejad, and others to worry about. Should we add a new generation of enemies? That was just a maybe. Interesting but unfounded nonetheless.
Anyway, according to the DREAM Act those who have entered the US illegally (or legally, just overstayed) before the age of 16 are eligible. (I'm not to assume if they will have a cut off whether those who are 30+ years old will still be eligible; anyone with the information about this?) Also anyone who entered the US before 2002 are eligible to prevent the problem of incoming illegal immigants. Then, the said child must finish two years of college (meaning they will already be useful to us) or two years of service in the military (a price really not debatable).
The issue with illegal immigration is social security. It can be argued that these children can be used for extremist goals. I mean for these people hard work for maximum effect is what they strive for. Surely, the FBI is much better at tracking down anyone planning terror plots. Just look at the hindered <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/22/AR2006062201546.html">Sears Tower Terror Plot of 2006</a>.
Case and point: By the time an illegal child is eligible for the DREAM Act, they can contribute to society. You don't want them to go to California colleges, get their degrees, and--because they can't use their degrees here--go back to the country they never knew and have that country reap the benefits. I sure don't. If you're getting education here, you best use that to positively contribute here.
Anonymous (October 5, 2007 @ 12:31am):
People against this! Did you not read the Dream Act. There isnt going to be a chain of immigration comming in if its passed. Do you really think its going to be that easy to lie to the system?? Really come on. They are going to have to show transcripts that they went to high school and a diploma........The age limit to apply will be 30 years old and you would have had to be here 5 years before the Dream Act gets enacted. I support the Dream Act its the right thing to do. It wasnt their fault I say give them a chance.
Anonymous (October 5, 2007 @ 6:12pm):
"They are hardworking students and good citizens"
I believe what the author meant to say is that these students demonstrate the marks of a good citizen, for example being a good neighbor; caring for other; staying informed; sharing their time and skills with the community in order to make it better, cleaner and safer. It was not meant as a legal term. These individual's pay taxes: federal/state income tax; mortgage/rent tax; sales tax. Many provide various hours of community service. These students are not only model pupils, they demonstrate great citizenship. Many if not all of them were brought to this country without their consent and have lived most of their short lives in America. Some may not even know their native tongue and only speak english. Tha majority have never visited their native land. The only hindrance of defining them as exemplary citizens is the fact they are not provided with a path towards citizenship and must therefore live in the shadows and be labeled as simply "criminals" by those too quick to label and hate. Many of you who wrote appear to be so disgusted and focus so much on the legal status of these youth, as if that is the only qualifier that demonstrates an individual's character, moral, and ethic. Would you be so quick to chastise and villify women for wanting equality before they were given the right to vote?
I am a counselor, and I have come to know and respect a good number of these 'illegals' as some of you call them. Maybe its because of my love and passion for my profession, I don't see these youth as criminals, but as a great potential for our nation. The strong work ethic daily evident in my students, guarantees that no matter how many obstacles they face, and trust me there are many, I know they will not only become productive members of society but they have the potential to excel way beyond our imagination. The may be the ones who solve the social ills that effect our world today, such as cancer, poverty, and war to name a few. Instead, we want to crush their dreams and send them back to nations, that our country, throughout our history, have annihilated in resources and plagued in debt. Do you really think that the large majority of undocumented individuals would choose voluntarily to leave their home, their relatives and culture and risk their lives to come to this nation?
There are so many statements thrown out in these opinions that are so short-sighted; I don't know where to begin.
I hope there are individuals reading this article that are truly interested in trying to understand this issue, open to a critical look at this problem and have thought-provoking questions to ask.
But the more I read, the more it appears that these stories only spew what I know to be a minority of individuals who hide behind their masks of racism to inundate blogs and feedback comment sections with ignorant and ill-advised hatred.
Anonymous (October 6, 2007 @ 7:34pm):
Financial aid, as it currently stands, is not extended to undocumented students, thereby severing opportunities for many of those who wish to attend institutions of higher education. The DREAM Act would also ensure that financial aid becomes more accessible to these disenfranchised students".
Gee, first of all these illegal alien students have always had and continue to have the right and opportunity to pursue higher education in their home countries at a much, much more affordable tuition than anything comparable here in the United States. MExico's public universities are free and in most Latin American countries the registration and fees for a year of studies is less than what it costs an American college student for a years worth of textbooks. So, why are these illegal alien students feeling so self-entitled to American taxpayer subsidies, citizenship, green cards and a lifetime of public benefits in the U.S.? The fact is that under the DREAM Act, illegal alien students and their families are place in a much better position than U.S. college-bound students and even foreign nationals on valid, legal student visas. No illegal alien should be allowed to apply for federal/state financial aid and compete with American college bound kids and their families for financial aid. There is no justification for that when these illegals can study in their home countries virtually for free. Stop the DREAM ACT...si se puede! Just say NO MAS to illegal alien demands.
Anonymous (October 6, 2007 @ 7:58pm):
Karnes knows not of what she speaks. These illegal alien students and their families have every right and opportunity to go to college in their home countries. Tuition at Mexico's National Autonomous University is FREE for Mexican nationals, its costs about $14.00 dollars to register at the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala and in most Latin American countries for example, the tuition/registration fees for one year are less than what it costs American college kids for a year's worth of TEXTBOOKS! These kids aren't being denied a college education in their home countries, and they are really doing their families a disservice by not pursuing such back home. If they'd go home, get a degree, they'd have a much better chance of obtaining one of the over 79 different types of visas available to enter the U.S. LEGALLY. English skills, a college degree are definite pluses if one wants to immigrate legally. These kids and their families are falsely claiming they have no opportunities to study at home. That is a blatant LIE. What they really want is to legalize their illegal status through an amnesty, be allowed to sponsore their ilelgal alien families and obtain immediate access to every public benefit/service including federal and state financial aid/loans/grants/scholarships. Thus placing them in a better position than other foreign nationals who obey our laws and are here studying on student visas. Just say NO MAS to the DREAM ACT and these illegal alien student's unjustified demands.
Anonymous (October 8, 2007 @ 5:30pm):
I never thought I would live to see the day when I saw people go after innocent children.
With SCHIP and now the horrible things people are saying about these poor kids, what is wrong with this country?
When did we start going after innocnet children? I pray for all of you and hope to god none of you have any kids of your own.
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