Dream act--shattered dreams?

Myrna Gasc
Mr. Claunch
February 15, 2012
GOVT. 2301-8200
Dream Act--Shattered Dreams?
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, ( D.R.E.A.M Act) would give young, undocumented immigrants, brought to United States not by their choice--as young children the chance to citizenship through college or by serving the country through military service. It truly sounds like morallyand economically sound legislation to me. Not to the senate however, who unfortunately would not pass the act. According to an article in the Arizona Central Newspaper (Gomez), The Dream Act, passed the Democratic-controlled House in December, but fell short of the 60 votes necessary to win passage in the Senate. It is my opinion that there is misconception as what the real facts of the DreamAct are, some of the reasons they give not to vote in favor of it are; that perhaps it is a door for Amnesty, or they view it as a reward to illegal activity, and even as an economic burden. I firmly believe that the Dream Act could very well be an economic investment in the future of our country. Moreover, I believe that the harsh opposition the act is facing is not what the United States isabout—this is a country where settlers—immigrants from far away countries came to colonize and conquer, and obviously the natives did not have “immigration laws” making it easier to establish themselves here, and to even claim the land as their own. I see the Dream act as an opportunity for advancement in this country—advancement that would directly contribute to economic growth of the nation.
TheDream act’s main purpose is to remedy the predicament that students are confronted with when trying to obtain a college education, as many of them have lived in the United States since a very young age, some of them brought here when they were infants, they have been raised here and are completely assimilated; and even when they are from another country the only language they speak is English andwithout an accent. I consider the act a win-win situation, the country could benefit from talented youth interested in becoming professionals—professionals that will later represent tax-paying citizens and that could fill all the vacancies of specialized professions that are in need of talented workers. In a Washington times article secretary of education Arnan Duncan “pointed to the fact that thereare 3 million unfilled jobs in America in the fields of science, technology, education and mathematics that these students could help fill” (Wolfang).
The Dream act could represent an enormous economic growth for our country; in a Washington Times article, secretary of education Arne Duncan writes: “the law would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over the next decade by allowing more illegalimmigrants to stay in the country and pay taxes. He also said that continuing to deport talented people just because they're here illegally "doesn't make any sense" (Wolfang). This could significantly increase government revenues for years to come. These young people will become well-educated and will be securing high level jobs as the result of their higher education, and this consequently wouldhave a significant impact on our economy.
Unfortunately, I feel that we are living a cynical environment for legislation of any kind, and with the immigration debate more gloomy than ever, the Dream Act’s chances are minimal—even when it makes total sense. That is a disgrace, because the act was proposed for precisely the kind of people America should be welcoming; future leaders, talentedindividuals with a desire to progress. People are harsh when judging the act without really comprehending how it works, I disagree with Ed Rogers, a blogger writer for the Washington Post, Post-Opinions section, that says that: “Republicans can avoid being trapped by being positive and saying that there are some good ideas in the Dream Act, but we have to wait until we:
A. Secure the border;
B. Are...