DREAM Act rally planned in White Plains
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- May
- 15
White Plains
High School students have made a tradition of rallying for the DREAM Act, which would create a legalization process for those who came to the United States as children and completed their education here. The students held a May Day walkout in 2006 and 2007 and marched from the school to the center of town.
This year, organizer Arturo Bravo is aiming higher and coordinating a march on Saturday, June 6, along with pro-immigrant groups in Ossining, Port Chester, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck and elsewhere. Now a Lehman College student in math and computer science, Bravo went back to WPHS on May 1 as a guest speaker, and got “re-energized” about the DREAM Act.
There’s a renewed buzz among supporters this year over the endorsement of people like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and from the College Board.
“My hopes are very, very high,” Bravo said.
(Photos: Ricky Flores/The Journal News)
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on Friday, May 15th, 2009 at 5:23 pm by Leah Rae.
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Proponents of the DREAM Act insist that the purpose of the bill is to ensure that the children of illegal aliens—who were brought here illegally through no fault of their own and shouldn’t be penalized for the sins of their parents—have an opportunity to go to college. After all, shouldn’t every child have a chance to better himself by getting a good education?
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act was introduced on March 26, 2009, as S. 729 by Senators Durbin (D-IL.) and Lugar (R-IN) and as H.R. 1751 by Rep. Berman (D-CA). As of April 6, 2009, the Senate bill has 19 cosponsors and the House bill has 20 cosponsors.
What its supporters don’t tell you, though, is that the DREAM Act would award amnesty to virtually any illegal alien under the age of 35 who first entered the United States before the age of 16, has been in the country for at least the last five years, and has earned a high school diploma or GED in the United States. While the age limit of 35 seems excessive, at least it sounds like a relatively well-defined population, right? Here’s the kicker: Illegal aliens only have to submit a petition in which they claim to meet these requirements. There is not a single provision in the DREAM Act that requires the aliens to provide proof that the claims are true. In fact, once an illegal alien submits this required petition, the only way the alien can be denied amnesty is if DHS proves that the claims are false.
Think what would happen if, say, half a million amnesty applications (an extremely conservative estimate) are dumped on an agency—US Citizenship and Immigration Services—that already has over three million applications pending. How many amnesty applications are likely to be denied when every denial involves additional time to track down proof that the statements on the application are false, versus an approval that takes only the stroke of a pen? Past experience shows that the answer is frighteningly close to none, so the potential for fraud is virtually unlimited.
On top of this, the incentives created by the bill make massive fraud a certainty. For example, once an illegal alien files a petition for amnesty, regardless of whether the alien actually meets the requirements or not, DHS is prohibited from deporting that individual for any reason until the petition is granted or until DHS has found proof that the alien does not qualify and so denies the petition. There are no exceptions to this. So, as long as an illegal alien files an amnesty petition before he flies a plane into the World Trade Center or goes on a killing spree in the local shopping mall, we are stuck with him for as long as it takes an already backlogged agency to consider his application for amnesty.
Rest assured, though, that no illegal alien with a criminal record can qualify for amnesty – unless the criminal record only involves one or two misdemeanor convictions like DUIs or domestic violence, or it only involves violations of immigration laws or crimes committed to achieve an immigration-related goal like document fraud. Terrorists don’t qualify for the DREAM amnesty either—at least not those we have listed on a watch list and who use their real names to apply for amnesty.
The fact that there is no deadline by which all DREAM-amnesty applications must be filed means there is plenty of time for illegal aliens (those already here and those planning to come) who don’t actually qualify to fabricate or purchase their eligibility. No doubt the Mexican drug cartels and other criminal enterprises already are developing the “DREAM Set”—a prepackaged set of documents, utility bills, high school diplomas, and so on to ensure that every illegal alien gets a slice of the American DREAM, for the right price.
Of course, the bill specifically requires DHS to move all amnesty petitions to the front of the line—ahead of the millions of people who have been waiting for years to come to the United States legally—so it shouldn’t take more than six months or so to decide any one application–unless amnesty is denied, in which case the illegal alien could extend the process for several years by appealing the denial. And what will happen in the rare instance when an illegal alien is denied amnesty? The illegal alien “shall return to the immigration status the alien had immediately prior” to applying for amnesty. Well, of course! We will simply ignore the fact that the alien had to admit to being in the country illegally on his amnesty petition and pretend we do not have his address, occupation, or any other information about him! We can’t let pesky details like the fact that, in order to deny amnesty, DHS has to prove that the alien committed fraud on his petition, is not “of good moral character,” has been convicted of a deportable offense, or is a terrorist, human smuggler, or international child abductor, to get in the way.
The DREAM Act sets no numerical limits on how many illegal aliens may be granted amnesty, and they cannot be counted against the current annual green card limits. Furthermore, once granted permanent resident status, beneficiaries of the DREAM amnesty can become U.S. citizens and sponsor their relatives—the parents who brought them here illegally, any siblings left in the home country, and then aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on—for legal immigration to the United States under current chain migration laws. So all in all, this little bill to ensure that children can get a good education would quickly begin to rival the “one-time-only” amnesty of 1986, under which some three million illegal aliens and their spouses and children were given green cards, along with countless extended relatives.
Finally, just in case illegal aliens who come in the future feel left out, the DREAM Act has benefits for them, too (and there WILL be lots of future illegal aliens since amnesties always result in more illegal immigration and this bill does absolutely nothing to deter it). The DREAM Act would retroactively repeal the federal law that prohibits state colleges and universities from giving illegal aliens in-state tuition rates. The repeal would have two results: First, it would mean that each state would be free to decide whether to give in-state tuition slots to illegal aliens instead of to U.S. citizens and legal residents (after all, there is a set number of in-state tuition slots, so giving one to an illegal alien means one less for a citizen or legal resident). Second, it would nullify the various lawsuits that have been filed challenging those states that already have violated federal law by giving illegal aliens in-state tuition, so those states would get away with breaking the law with impunity. Now, there’s a lesson we all want our children to learn, right?
Ed Kowalski
9/11 Families for a Secure America
It may be a DREAM for illegal law breakers but a NIGHTMARE
for tax payers.
These children were brought to this country as babies, infants. Yet people have the audacity to talk about economics, and legality. Should we begin to charge every 2-3 year old with civil violations. These are children, who of no choice were placed in this situation. This country gives students an undenied education for 12 years. Yet then they clean their hands and ignore them aftewards. If one wants to talk economically, the comparison of what a High school, and college graduate earn, is drastically different. How much is a high school graduate paying in taxes for the next 40 years of his/her life, as compared to a college graduate?
These are hard working people, who have lived their entire lives in this country. Some don’t even know their home countries language.
One of the first people killed in Iraq Jose Gutierrez, was an undocumented immigrant.
We feel American,
We are American.
Let’s Support the “Dream ACT” and as well as “Immigration reform.” Come and Join us June 6th 2009 in White Plains at the White Plains Library at 1pm.
The immigration system is outdated and ineffective and the majority of Americans realize this. It just perpetuates a vulnerable underclass. Politicians including the President recognize that the system must be reformed. Reforming the system including passing the Dream Act, will help the economic recovery and reduce illegal immigration.It will help all workers. Immigration reform is about who we are as human beings, and whether we are going to stand up for American ideals and reject those who appeal to our worst instincts.
Let’s do the right thing and fight for fair treatment and practical solutions that benefit us all. Join the Great March for Immigration Reform and the Dream Act on June 6. Be part of history.
These youing people deserve support and opportunities. If they have been educated in the US and are eager to pursue higher education it is a great waste of potential to deny them opportunities. They will enrich our society many times over.
Human beings who are suffering poverty and persecution will always flock to America’s shores – but most of us were lucky enough to come here when those shores still held open arms. If your children were starving you would not consider the legality of whatever actions you needed to take to feed them, so why do you demand that others do? “Give me your tired, your hungry, your poor…”
All human beings have a natural instinct – to die if necessary – to make sure that their children have enough to eat and a decent life. I would rather deport evil and good-for-nothing American citizens who have nothing to do but sit on their butts in front of their computers and spew vile and hateful diatribes against hard-working, brave immigrants who have overcome the greatest of odds to get here in order to feed and educate their children.
The lies perpetuated by the racist anti-immigrant movement would have us believe all kinds of inaccuracies and succumb to fear-mongering, but this is a new day in America—when human beings are respected even if they don’t look like the Bushes or the Cheneys, and even if they speak other languages, and even if they aren’t aligned with corporate wealth. YEAH! WE ARE AMERICAN AGAIN! And we celebrate ALL cultures that have come together to create this very diverse nation! And we are delighted to educate ALL wonderful, eager, hard-working children.
The United States has not been a leader in education for years because it has failed to embrace the very principles upon which it was created: freedom, and opportunity for the “tired, poor…huddled masses”. If everybody remembers correctly, this nation is built upon immigration in its entirety—the Irish, the English, the Italians…the list goes on. Let’s not forget that, and lets support immigration reform for all those hardworking people who came to this country in search of the much sought after “American dream”. Don’t continue to deny innocent children with the opportunity to succeed and be model citizens of the US.
This anti-immigrant zenophobia is a sad thing. The people who speak of the “evils” of immigrants today are descendants of immigrants themselves.
Irish and Italian immigrants faced the same kind of discrimination, hatred and violence as immigrants are facing now. im glad that as a grandchild of Irish & Italian immigrants, that im not supporting the same discrimination.
i support the DREAM Act and will be at the march on Saturday!
A HUMAN BEING cannot be illegal.
The Dream Act is about realizing the American Dream just like our ancestors who worked so hard for their children and grand children to become what they couldn’t in their lifetimes.
The Dream Act is about children is about America’s future and beyond, its about our understanding that denying any child an opportunity for a better future is fundamentally wrong. I don’t just want better for my own; I want better for all children. I march for the Dream Act to make sure that my children remember what they learned when they were very young. Its good to share.
In JFK’s words from a Nation of Immigrants “Immigration policy should be generous, it should be fair, it should be flexible. With such a policy we can turn to the world, and to our own past, with clean hands and a clean conscience.”
I SUPPORT THE DREAM ACT AND SO DOES OTHER PEOPLE
President Barack Obama:
“I support the Dream Act 100 per cent, in fact, I am fully committed to education, my administration has raised funds to be invested in education because I want more students to have the opportunity to go to college and have better access to resources such as scholarships and loans,” – President Barack Obama.
Sen. Hillary Clinton:
As part of that policy, Clinton “strongly” supports the DREAM Act, which she says “provides a path to citizenship through military service or higher education for children who were brought to the U.S. by their parents.”
Sen. John McCain:
McCain was a co-sponsor of The DREAM Act of 2007, and an earlier Senate bill that provided for comprehensive immigration reform, including the DREAM Act of 2006. McCain was a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act of 2005.
Sen. John Edwards:
“We need to overhaul our immigration laws and that should include giving children who grew up here the opportunity to build a better life. I co-sponsored the DREAM Act
2008
http://www.diverseeducation.com/artman/publish/article_10553.shtml
SUPPORT THE DREAM ACT!! Families come here to work, children are here to learn, give them an opportunity!
-June 6th, 2009, White Plains Library!
I’ll be there! Brining 10 car full of people
Each year, 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, because K-12 education is a constitutional right. But these undocumented high school graduates have few opportunities. The DREAM Act, by giving educational opportunities to immigrant youth, will train the next generation for important jobs and skills. This will provide more opportunities for all Americans, and improve the quality of life for all communities.
These future adults are here, many have grown up in the United States, many have no real connection with their country of origin, in everything but the formalities of status they are Americans. We have two choices: we can invest now in their future by facilitating their education, knowing that a few dollars spent now will produce valuable returns, or we can continue to marginalize them, offer them no hope for a better future, and live with the consequences. It is in American society’s interest to approve the dream act.
Like all government related programs and legislation things are not awarded. You go through paperwork and hoops. Amnesty wouldn’t be granted. As proposed since 2002, undocumented students can not have a criminal background.
As for the in-state tuition comment. States presently can decide to give undocumented students in-state tuition. New York is one of those states. New York in-state tuition for undocumented students was passed in a post 9-11 world by a Republication governor.
Who is on board with the DREAM Act:
The College Board
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP
Con Edison
Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe
National Grid
American Express Company
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Pfizer
Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Macy’s Inc.
Morgan Stanley
New Corporation
Citigroup
WL Ross & Co. LLC
Tishman Speyer
Partnership for New York City
Boston Properties
NYC Mayor Bloomberg
So what will the Dream Act do? A faith related network sums it up:
• Improve Access to College
Qualified undocumented students will become eligible for in-state tuition in the states where they
graduated from high school.
• Reduce High School Drop-Out Rates
Given that tuition and citizenship benefits of the DREAM Act would only be available to high
school graduates, the legislation provides a powerful incentive to stay in school.
• Increase Educated Workforces
Over 80% of the 23 million jobs that will be created in the next 10 years will require postsecondary
education (ACE, 2004). Currently, only 36% of all 18-24 year olds are enrolled in postsecondary
education (NCES, 2004). The DREAM Act will have a significant positive impact on the future
workforce. Additionally, research shows that a more educated workforce leads to increased earnings,
lower crime and poverty rates, and fewer demands on public assistance programs.
• Increase Revenue for the States
Nine states have passed legislation similar to the DREAM Act, and have not seen an influx in
immigration, the displacement of other students in higher education, or a drain on the education
system, as many critics have feared.
• Make Federal Policy Consistent with Federal Precedent
The Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that undocumented minors are not responsible for their
immigration status and are therefore entitled to elementary and secondary education. The DREAM
Act would repeal a federal law that discourages states from providing in-state tuition to these
students. This contradiction represents a wasted investment for the states, who have educated these
students through high school but cannot benefit from their tuition dollars or contributions to the
economy or tax revenue.
Lastly, I leave you with a quote from Leviticus 33-34:
“When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt.”
Can’t wait for Saturday!