Every year, more than 65,000 undocumented immigrant students graduate from high schools across the country. Most of them having been in the U.S. throughout their academic career, they dream of pursuing a higher education or military service like their American peers. However, the cruel reality, is that undocumented students are not given in-state tuition, grants or loans, and cannot work legally to afford their college education. Much like any young high school graduate, these teenagers dreams are to pursue a better education and prove to the world that they were brought to this country to succeed. Although their reasons for staying in this country seem more than just, a new wave of deportations have split the country's opinion in half yet again.
On July 25th, two teenage brothers in Florida, Juan and Alex Gomez, were awaken and arrested by U.S. Immigration officers along with their parents. Like thousands of other young immigrants that are being deported along with their families, Juan and Alex have been living in the U.S. since they were merely toddlers and are more than assimilated into the American mainstream culture. Their parents, having left behind a war torn Colombia, decided to stay in the U.S. after their tourist visa expired, in order to give their kids an opportunity to a better future. That, they did so far; Juan who recently graduated from a high school in Miami, excelled in 15 advanced placement classes and aced the SATs. However, because of his status, his family can only afford a community college education, and now with their sentence to deportation, his goal might never be reached.
As soon as Juan and Alex's friends heard the news, they immediately set out on the Internet to promote their case, and effectively reached Capitol Hill. The family's deportation was suspended for 45 more days in order for Congress to review the case. Through emails, Facebook, and telephone calls, teenagers from across the country heard that news, and in early August, stormed Washington with their cries.
Although nothing has been achieved yet, the teenage lobbyists and supporters from Congress want the DREAM act to succeed. If passed, the DREAM act ("Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors"), will allow undocumented young immigrants to receive federal aid so that they can continue with their higher education. Setting a high standards for young students, the DREAM act would allow thousands of highly achieving teenagers to have an equal opportunity as their peers. The act would also allow for a path to citizenship, if students prove and successfully complete their college education or serve in the army for at least two years. In other words, it would allow these teenagers that are practically assimilated into American culture and have high aspirations, to have a chance to better themselves.
However, critics from both conservative and liberal sides of Congress say that the act would merely be another form of amnesty to immigrant law-breakers. In effect, an act like the DREAM act would serve as a form of pardon and easier way to reach citizenship, but who can limit the "American Dream"? If these young immigrants are more than willing to educate themselves or fight in the army in order to help the U.S., is it right and just for anyone to prohibit this?
How would you feel if you were in their shoes?
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4 comments:
Although I am an affirmed adversary of illegal immigration, I think that the deportation of those two Colombian teenagers would be ridiculous and immoral. Conservatives and liberals are in a bind right now when considering the proper courses of action to deal with illegal immigration. Aliens are vital to the sustainment of our nation's short-run economy because they are the best source of cheap labor. On the contrary, illegal immigrants don't pay taxes, often contribute to gang violence, and lack insurance policies to cover damages in auto accidents or payments for medical treatments. This is why the American government is starting to crack down on illegals even if they have already assimilated. In my opinion, assimilated illegals are not the problem and I don't see the benefits in ruining people's lives who have already integrated themselves into our culture. I think deportation of existing aliens should only be enforced if an illegal has recently arrived in America within the past couple years or if that illegal has broken the law. Undocumented immigrants should not pursued by the government if they have already been transfused into our culture for a relevant portion of time. In Juan and Alex's case, especially not if they have attended school here since they were young. Therefore, I would support the DREAM act if it were more specefic; however, I'm increasingly doubtful it will be approved anytime soon because as you said too many critics will reject the bill as another form of amnesty.
I think the point that silverlight is missing here is that fact that right now, there is no way that the millions of undocumented people that are in this country can get an opportunity for citizenship. If it were as easy as you are saying to just go at it legally, then none of these people would be here in the first place. The reality is that even after living in this country for many years, there people will never be given a chance at citizenship. If they were to do it legally, they would first have to get a certified education, get a decent paying job at a company that would be willing to pay for a work visa so that they could come and work in the US. However, it is sad enough that even highly educated people in third world countries that try to get jobs in the US are not given that opportunity. As for selective deportation, the US government already selects those immigrants and tourists that are given a visa. I can tell that you have never been in this situation, but the reality is that even if you have proof that you sustain a good life style in your country and just want to have a tourist or student visa, you are questioned extensively as if you were a criminal. I am not making accusations but all I am referring to are my personal experiences.
I think that people in the US should be more grateful for what they have and the country that they are free to enjoy, and question whether or not they will ever be willing to share the same opportunities that they have will people that die for a chance every day.
I believe that if a little kid is brought tot he US, it is not hte kid who has technically violated the law by coming here. His or her parents violated it, but then the child grows up as an American. It is all they know. And if they graduate from college here and have to go "home" to a country they never knew, with no famly or friends back there, in order to find work, that doesn't seem humane. It may be "the law" but it is not humane. The DREAM act seems a reasonable solution to this problem of right versus right. Creative compromises are the best way to solve such problems.
The United States was founded on the dreams of immigrants. If we limit the dreams of un-documented immigrants, it juxtaposes what our founding fathers started this country on. I agree with cec: if the children were merely toddlers when they were brought to the US, they should not be held responsible for their parent’s actions. There is a reason why that in the United States we have a surplus of undocumented immigrants. With that notion in mind, our government should consider programs and acts (like the DREAM act) to accommodate immigrants who want to pursue the American dream, like the rest of us.
If we also take a look at what these teenagers have done, we notice that they have not broken the law, joined gangs, or that we know of, done anything destructive. If anything, these boys, given the right education and opportunities, can help our country grow and develop more diversity.
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