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| Credit: America's Voice Online |
DREAM stands for - Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors
This bill was first introduced to the Senate in 2001 and it recently hit the headlines, in 2011, as California's Governor Brown took action.(AB130 and AB131)
Under the DREAM act illegal alien students who show good conduct and graduate from a US high school will be allowed permanent residency and financial aid for higher education. These aliens must have presided in the United States for five continuous years prior to the bill's enactment. The bill will allow these aliens to "acquired a degree from an institution of higher education in the United States or has completed at least 2 years, in good standing, in a program for a bachelor's degree or higher degree in the United States" or have "served in the armed services for at least 2 years and, if discharged, has received an honorable discharge".
These are the requirements for the beneficiaries of this bill under the 2008 Senate Bill:
- Have proof of having arrived in the United States before age 16.
- Have proof of residence in the United States for at least five consecutive years since their date of arrival.
- If male, Have registered with the Selective Service.
- Be between the ages of 12 and 30 at the time of bill enactment.
- Have graduated from an American high school, obtained a GED, or have been admitted to an institution of higher education.
- Be of "good moral character"
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| Credit: CA State Assembly |
In 2011 California's Governor Brown signed the CA version assembly bill of the Dream Act allowing students who are illegal immigrant to obtain access to scholarships in their pursue of state schools of higher education. Governor Brown says that "Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking ... The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us."
Click Read More to read the BENEFITS and see how others are CRITICIZING this bill.
Benefits? and Criticisms? See both sides.
A UCLA study showed that if this bill was to be enacted the country would benefit from the major income taxes created by the 2.1 million illegal aliens, who will benefit from this act. The increase income taxes can rack up to $3.6 trillion. While these minor are illegal aliens, they have lived in the United States all their lives. They have learned the culture of being an American and have gained nationalism for the United States. They will most likely continue their career within the United States upon graduation from college. This will create an increased number in the workforce and drive up the increase in total income tax revenue for the state and country. Rather than damaging the economy these illegal aliens, who become permanent residents, will eventually become a part of the productive workforce. Every year 65,000 undocumented students graduate from US high schools, Could these numbers drive the economy forward?
While this may not seem to be highly beneficial to the country, it is more of a moral cause. "Arguing that children should not be punished for their parents' decisions." It is seen as immoral for the United States to treat children indifferently if they were not the ones to decide to make choice. Many of these students don't see a future for themselves because they receive no economic support, and college is a highly burdensome task. By giving financial assistance it will encourage these students to "try harder" and pursue an interest, eventually becoming a vital part of the United States.
Some may argue that this act will encourage an increase in the the number of illegal immigrants that will enter the United States. San Bernardino's Assemblyman believes that "It's morally wrong ...We have just created a new entitlement that is going to cause tens of thousands of people to come here illegally from all over the world." The DREAM Act will further entice the citizens of foreign countries to illegally entered the borders of the United States. Some citizens in California may argue that by providing financial aid to illegal aliens, who pay a minimal amount of taxes, will further deteriorate the dwindling economy. It is estimated that California's enactment of the assembly bills could cost the state up to $40 million. In a situation where there is an increase in illegal immigration, Customs and Border Protection may need to amp up their protection. This will eventually increase government spending in these dire economic time. Many may see this as unfair for American born citizens who have paid taxes all their lives and still have to pay a large portion of the tuition to state colleges and universities.
Do the benefits outweigh the costs?
Source:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:S.1545:#
http://naid.ucla.edu/uploads/4/2/1/9/4219226/no_dreamers_left_behind.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DREAM_Act#cite_note-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_DREAM_Act
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2011/10/dream-act-1.html
http://www.capsweb.org/content.php?id=314&menu_id=8&menu_item_id=0
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/09/local/la-me-brown-dream-act-20111009
