The DREAM Act:

1. 92

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   What do you guys think about the DREAM Act? I think we need a pathway for law-abiding illegals to become citizens, but I don't think that part of this act is fair. From everything I read, illegal aliens won't have to pay out-of-state tuition, while legal citizens from another state WILL have to pay the extra tuition. This just doesn't seem right to me.

   replyreport
   1. 58

      C.J. Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The Dream Act represents another broken promise. Republicans have already tried amnesty. It failed. We were promised at the time that this was a one time deal. That it would not be done again.

      replyreport
   2. 58

      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I don't agree with the D.R.E.A.M. Act.  It may encourage more illegaIs.  The act requires illegal high school graduates to attend a four year college for at least two years.  So not only are taxpayers paying for their high school education but now they will pay for their college education.  Nice country, America.  My grandparents came here legally.  I don't get anything free.  I also think the requirement for 8 years of military duty should come out.

      replyreport
      1. 87

         Patty Inglish, MSposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         While the act seems to want to force illegals to become more educated in order to contribute to US society, I don't think it will work in many cases. Is it worth the expense overall for the individuals it does lift up and our country with them? It might, if one of these immigrants develops a cure for a type of muscular dystrophy not yet treatable, or similar.
         
         A large part of my ancestry is from a sizeable Mohawk sector not recognized federally or at state-level, so they are paid no related minority or other benefits whatever, while other native nations do so. It made no difference to me, since I've always made my own way; but I think I'd like to see the remaining nations and bands that are seeking such recognition have it before we help the illegals with free education. 
         
         Requiring 8 years military duty sounds harsh, and almost as if we are amassing a force of illegal expendables to send to war. I don't like that omen and hope I am wrong.

         replyreport
   3. 64

      Mishaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      

      replyreport
2. 60

   Petra Vlahposted 12 years ago

   Helping immigrants to integrate into the American society makes sense to me. It will be an initial investment, but in the long run it will pay off

   replyreport
   1. 58

      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Helping immigrants integrate absolutely makes sense.  I'm all for it.  I guess I just don't want to pay for it.  I believe people should show their desire and willingness first to obey codified law in any country, then seek help with anything they need.  If there is law in place to gain help, it should be for the benefit of everyone.  Keep in mind, their parents gained illegal entry.  I'm still stuck on why they are being educated at taxpayer expense.  Surely someone knows they are not citizens.  Am I missing something?

      replyreport
3. 60

   JR Whiteposted 12 years ago

   What are "law-abiding illegals"?

   replyreport
   1. 58

      C.J. Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      there is a contradiction there.....

      replyreport
   2. 92

      habeeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Illegal aliens who don't commit crimes - other than sneaking into the country! lol. I wasn't sure how else to say it. For those who are involved in crimes once they get here, they should be deported.

      replyreport
   3. 58

      C.J. Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You know, now that I think of it. I don't think there is a statute under which someone can be "charged" for being here illegally. Obviously you can deport them. I guess in some ways the term "Undocumented" fits, technically.
      
      I think it's obvious we have a HUGE problem. I would rather spend the "DREAM ACT" money on a HUGE FREAKING WALL! A wall thats lined with soldiers. What ever it takes to stop this unchecked flow of humanity. Once we STOP the flow we can decide what to do with those here. That way if we decide some or all need to go back, we can do so with assurance they wont just sneak back across.

      replyreport
   4. 60

      Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      People who, like the majority of us, have committed a petty crime or two, but nothing that rises to the level where they should be labeled "criminals". 
      
      For those who parrot the "they're illegal, period" line, perhaps you shouldn't live in a country whose founding fathers all committed capital offenses against the legal government of the time.

      replyreport
      1. 58

         C.J. Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         When you use that logic, especially in defense of MEXICO....it seems like faulty logic. In fact one could say that Mexico is simply doing what they have always done...invade.

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You seem to be confused on the subject.  Mexico is not invading the U.S., although the U.S. has invaded Mexico on several occasions.

            replyreport
            1. 58

               C.J. Wrightposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               So, Mexico is inhabited by NATIVE MEXICANS? Exclusively? No, not confused. You keep making references to how America came to be. I'm simply stating that the Spanish peoples are just as culpible.

               replyreport
4. 69

   Flightkeeperposted 12 years ago

   They're illegal send them home already.  They already got a free public education through high school.

   replyreport
5. 80

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   http://www.examiner.com/county-politica … ration-law
   
   If this goes through (which, given enough support from the vast right-wing money machine it very well could), we would certainly be sending a MIXED SIGNAL to illegal immigrants here in CA.
   
   So like, will we be saying, "Get the hell out. But don't go away uneducated, please, get a college degree before you go back to Mexico!" 
   
   I'm sorry. I live in CA. This whole issue is a smokescreen designed to rile people's xenophobic blood. First it was gay marriage. Now this.
   How about jobs and healthcare for Americans????

   replyreport
6. 61

   mikelongposted 12 years ago

   I wholeheartedly support the DREAM Act......
   
   For those who keep throwing around the "those illegals" term...just remember, if you have broken a law, you can be called "illegal" too....
   
   Going back to the Act, I have a friend (several actually...but I'll focus on this one for now)...who was brought into this country when her mother illegally entered...
   
   My friend was only a couple of years old...
   
   Her mother, over time, married (and divorced) an American...(the guy was a real jerk)...which means that she received papers, but her daughter did not...
   
   Her daughter (my friend) was raised here....not in Mexico... She went to school here, Mexico is a foreign nation in her book...
   
   She has in the past couple years graduated from both community college and a very respectable four year university with a bachelors degree in English Literature....she now works in the health care industry...
   
   As opposed to the "illegals sucking tax dollars" lunacy that so many people brandy about, she is a highly productive member of our society....
   
   She is among the many undocumented students whom I have met over the past 6 years....and these men and women are puruing education, and are earning their degrees.... 
   
   As opposed to the statement above mine here that this bill would try to "force illegals to become educated"....they want education...they are being educated, and one day they wish to use their degrees for a higher purpose....  Why should we deny people who are going to serve our nation....
   
   While at the same time, if a prospective immigrant has a pile of cash...they can get the fast-track "documentation" process...
   
   Why should we continue this farce...of preferentially taking those who have wealth over those that don't...especially when it is American policies, political and corporate, that have spawned the poverty to begin with?
   
   The reality of being undocumented is a lot different than the generalizations that the "anti-illegal" crowd ever choose to recognize....
   
   
   If one want to discuss "illegal" why don't we look at the illegal wars, from the Mexican-American War, to the Spanish-American War...to the proxy wars in El Salvador....the coups carried out in Honduras and Guatemala (even in this past year and a half)..that have brought refugees northward....
   
   Why don't we discuss the illegal sweatshops here in the United States...where Thia women (among others) are brought into the county to make products for Guess, J.C. Pennies, Macy's, and so many other of our fine retail establishments (who don't do anything "illegal".....right?)...
   
   The people who chant "rah rah those illegals" are typically the people who know the least about how undocumented men and women are being abused...and are, in my experience, also typically directly and indirectly benefiting from the work undocumented people do...without even taking the time to realize it...
   
   The DREAM Act is a big step in the right direction......

   replyreport
7. 60

   Michael Buchmanposted 12 years ago

   "Law abiding illegal," now there is any oxymoron.
   
   We currently have a path of citizenship that many have used to enter our country for decades. It works.
   
   No one will argue, however, that it requires reform.  It should not take seven years to complete transition plus we should have a better system for those who simply want to periodically work in our system then return home.
   
   We also have a system in place for those seeking political asylum from oppressive countries.
   
   Don't be fooled.  Those attempting to bypass our system are doing so illegally. I've worked throughout Central and South America and I can assure you that these same individuals would be immediately deported if not imprisoned.
   
   There are two driving factors for pushing immediate reform:
   1) Mexico depends upon this income to sustain their corrupt economy and 2) increased voter base to support the progressive agenda. 
   
   Those currently in this country illegally should be arrested and deported.  All immigration should be temporarily halted, our borders secured and policy reformed BEFORE we consider any further BENEFITS that we have to pay for.
   
   Most countries require those seeking Citizenship to have sufficient funds to sustain themselves for six to twelve months.  Most countries do not offer them immediate citizenship, free benefits and education.  Why do we feel we must be different?

   replyreport
8. 61

   mikelongposted 12 years ago

   Backward thinking strikes again......

   replyreport
9. 60

   ray medeirosposted 12 years ago

   I think we are trying to cover the cough rather than cure the cold.
   
   We need to start holding companies accountable for hiring these people.  These illegals are coming here to work and send the money back home. 
   
   Let's make it harder for them to find work by punishing the employers who facilitate them.
   
   A heavy fine of 20-50k an illlegal.  If it bankrupts a company, so be it...they weren't hiring American workers anyway.

   replyreport