How The Dream Act Helps Young Immigrants
For many immigrants, the promise of immigration reform feels like a cruel hoax
. For their children, brought here by their parents at an early age, the pessimism is magnified by their young age. They see no light at the end of the tunnel.
These children had nothing to do with the choice of their parents to move to the U.S. In many instances, recollections of their former place of residence are non-existent. The United States is their home - but they are here illegally.
For these young immigrants, the DREAM Act is the most important aspect of the immigration reform debates in Congress.
In spite of strong public sentiment in favor of the DREAM Act, immigration reform opponents argue that undocumented immigrants should not be given new programs to earn legal status.
However, they never met Arthur.
With his mom and dad, he came to my offices to inquire whether he had any future options.
At first glance, he seemed an ideal student.
He had won several scholastic accolades. He was an "A" student. He took second place in a district essay contest. He was the treasurer on the student council. He played basketball on the high school team.
He had simple dreams. He told me, "My first goal is to enroll in the armed services." Once he finished his military career, he was planning to attend college.
Even though his record looked flawless, he was missing a major component - papers granting him lawful immigration status in the U.S.
Having completed high school, he was at a dead end.
He is not alone.
Being an immigration and deportation defense lawyer, year after year, I've seen young immigrants silently face an uncertain future after their graduation from high school. They cannot join the military. They cannot legally work. They cannot go to college. They can't go forward due to their deficit immigration status.
They deserve better.
Enter the the Development, Relief, and Education For Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act).
Contrary to the assertions of immigration opponents, the DREAM Act does not guarantee legalized status to immigrant children. It provides a way for these children to become lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens on the condition they can fulfill each and every requirement imposed by Congress.
There is a two-step process for the DREAM Act. If an immigrant child is successful at the first stage, he will be given "conditional" lawful residence for six years. At this point, he will have to demonstrate he has earned the right to become a lawful permanent resident.
There are four requirements in the first round:
Age - Must have entered the U.S. before the age of 16. Cannot, at the time of submitting the DREAM Act papers, be younger than 12 years old or older than 35 years old.
Long Term Residency - Must have lived here for five years before the date, and on the exact date, when the DREAM Act becomes law.
Education - Must have successfully completed GED courses or graduated from high school.
Good Moral Character - Must not have committed any crimes and possess good moral character.
DREAM Act applicants will also have to pay a hefty fine and demonstrate fluency in English.
Assuming they fulfill all requirements, they will become temporary permanent residents, on a conditional basis, for six years.
When they reach this point, the government will review their performance to ensure they have fulfilled their college or military service requirements and to verify their criminal record remains unblemished.
Opponents claim immigrants use up our resources and fail to give anything back in return to the U.S.
The DREAM Act's goals undermine such criticism. The strict requirements of the DREAM Act is a form of insurance that young immigrants will pay back the public investment made in their early years.
Additionally, the DREAM Act enables these immigrants to improve and contribute their talents and skills to the U.S. as they grow older.
As I see things, it's time to pass the DREAM Act.
by: Carlos Batara
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