Romney Will Veto The Dream Act

newstaco.com

Mitt Romney made it clear today that when he occupies the White House,  he will pull out the veto stamp and use it for The Dream Act .  The DREAM Act (The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) is a non-partisan piece of legislation that would enable undocumented students brought to the United States as minors the opportunity for a path toward citizenship. 

The DREAM Act is a restricted and targeted piece of legislation that provides an opportunity for young people brought to the United States by their parents through no fault of their own, the opportunity to stay in the country that they only know as home.  To qualify, these young people will have to be under the age of 15, lived in the United States for five years or longer, demonstrate good moral character, have no criminal history, will have had to  graduate from high school or received a GED to receive conditional status.  Beyond that, these young people will have to attend at least 2 years of college or serve honorably  in the US Military.

immigrationclearinghouse.org

This seems to be a reasonable piece of legislation that takes a huge first step toward curbing the immigration problems within the United States.   These young people have grown up in our schools, our churches and our communities.  Sending all of them home is not a particularly smart move when they have the opportunity to contribute significantly to our nation.  It is not an amnesty program, rather an opportunity for these young people to earn their citizenship. 

themoralliberal.com

In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that these young people are not to be held liable for their immigration status and therefore are entitled to public elementary and secondary education.  The DREAM Act does not require states to provide any benefits to undocumented students nor would these students be eligible for federal financial aid.  Quite simply, the DREAM Act provides a narrowly defined remedy for a very special population. 

It seems to me that we not only have a moral obligation to find a way to help these young people who only know our nation as home but also a wonderful opportunity to encourage them to contribute significantly to these United States.  The economic benefits of the DREAM Act are mighty.  Our branches of military service would greatly benefit from the Dream Act as would our colleges, universities and communities that these educated young people settle in.

colorlines.com

The DREAM Act has broad national support.  It will not cost the taxpayer a dime.  In fact, the economic piece is all positive.  We have to get past the idea that these young people are here in the United States illegally.  They did not make the choice themselves.  Their parents did.  They have grown up here.  They play with our children.  They sit in our church pews.  They contribute to the America we all know and love. 

Let's pass the DREAM Act in 2012 and provide the same opportunity for these young people that our great grandparents had when they arrived as immigrants to these wonderful United States of America.