Real Life - Hot Topic to deserving and qualified community members, but to others it seems like amnesty, which restores innocence to those who are accused of an offense. Taking this topic to the streets and to the girls it most affects, we asked a few Latinitas what they thought of the DREAM Act. Here is what they had to say.
Q: What do you think about the Dream Act? It gives people a chance to become something, unlike their parents who didn’t get that chance. That’s the reason their parents came here in the first place—to give them that chance, and it’s not their fault their illegal. – Nicole Bolanos, 15, Round Rock, Texas It’s a good idea because it would give other kids a chance to graduate and do something good with their lives. - Amoriest Saavedra, 13, Austin, Texas
Q: Do you know anyone who would be affected by this act? How?
Dream Act
What Does It Mean to You?
Story by Christine Bolanos | Photos by Celeste Casas
I
t's done. Four years of hard work. You're at your high school graduation. The sound of thunderous applause of family and friends is overwhelming, as is the feeling of accomplishment. Then, BAM! You're suddenly yanked back into reality. As an illegal immigrant, or the child of one, who just graduated from a United States high school, your next likely step isn’t as simple as your citizen-born friend sitting beside you. You have worked just as hard, if not harder, than your peers. But, because you do not have a social security number, you will face many more obstacles aspiring to college– as important as obtaining financial aid or as simple as getting a job. In 2007, a bill was introduced into Congress that would later become known as The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, or reflectively named, the DREAM Act. Essentially what the DREAM Act would do is provide children of illegal immigrants between the ages of 12 to 30, mechanisms to obtain legal residency, upon meeting certain conditions. First, they must have been raised in the United States, graduated from a U.S. high school, and demonstrated good moral character. If young immigrants meet these conditions, they qualify for conditional lawful permanent resident status. During this period, they would be required to attend college, join the military, or perform significant community service hours. At the end of the conditional period, provided they meet at least one of these requirements, they would be eligible for regular, lawful permanent resident status. This bill was eight votes short of becoming law. Eight votes that could have changed eight million lives. The law triggered a battle between those who oppose illegal immigration and those who support immigration solutions. On one side, the DREAM act offers opportunity
10 Latinitas
I have a friend whose parents are working so hard in this country to make a living. They would benefit from it a lot. - Brandy Garcia, 13, Round Rock, Texas My mom’s best friend is an illegal immigrant, and her daughter just graduated. She was in the top 10 percent of her class, took all AP classes, was in Student Council and volunteered. She got into her number one choice school; but now, she’s having to face the decision of whether to attend despite not receiving financial aid because of her illegal status. I don’t understand why she has to be punished for something that wasn’t her decision to make. - Maria Bocanegra, 14, Seattle, Washington A friend of the family's is being negatively affected by the DREAM Act not being passed. Still, I think that if you broke the law, you shouldn't have the same privileges as those who obey the law. It's kind of not your fault if your parents broke the law and not you, but either way, I think it's still wrong to break the law. -Miriam Bocanegra-14, Seattle, Washington
Q: Why do you think Congress did not pass the bill? I think that maybe this bill has been ignored because of negative stereotypes and illegal immigration issues. I would like to see this change because this would open up many opportunities for gifted people to have an equal opportunity. - Fabiola Rodriguez, 15, Rowlett, Texas I think it hasn’t been passed because it’s such a controversial topic. Many people are opposed to it, but there are also many people for it, too. I think [a bill like this] won’t have a chance to pass until Congress has a more liberal, Democratic population. -Cristina Saavedra, 16, Seattle, Washington
En Español En el 2007, una petición fue introducida en el congreso la cual eventualmente se dio a conocer como El Acto para el Desarrollo, Socorro y educación de Extranjeros menores de edad o DREAM Act por sus iniciales en inglés (The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act). A este acto sólo le faltaron ocho votos para convertirse en ley. Ocho votos que hubieran podido haber cambiado ocho millones de vidas. El acto originó la batalla entre los que se oponen a la inmigración ilegal y los que apoyan soluciones para la inmigración. Por una parte, el DREAM Act ofrece oportunidades a miembros calificados de la comunidad quienes se lo merecen, pero otros lo ven como amnistía, la cual restituye inocencia a aquellos que son acusados de una ofensa.