DREAM Act: A Gateway to Higher Education for Undocumented Students

This week, I decided to venture out into the blogosphere seeking to build on my last couple of posts in regards to immigrants and higher education in the state of California. In a previous post entitled, “Higher Education: The Debate Over College Tuition and Undocumented Students,” I brought to light and addressed some information pertaining to the DREAM Act. Currently, in the United States both in the private and public sector, higher education is the envy of the world with many people coming to America to pursue what many native born American citizens take for granted; a great education. The United States leads the way in education, particularly in the form of research and innovation. There is much irrefutable evidence of the benefits of obtaining a higher education, both to individuals and to society. According to the United States Census Bureau, the nation median annual income of college graduates without progressive degrees is fifty one thousand seven hundred dollars, while those with simply a high school education earn just over thirty thousand, and those without a high school edification earn less than twenty thousand dollars a year. People with simply a high school education are twice as likely to be unemployed and are three times more likely to require public support than college graduates.

I am a firm believer that a good education helps with the advancement and growth of a person’s critical thinking aptitudes which are essential to succeeding in today’s global society (see top left). Today’s comprehensive global challenges cross many disciplines and require elucidations that bring perspectives that are social and humanistic. Every year, hundreds if not thousands of honor roll students, artistic intellectuals, and star athletes who contribute greatly to our nations growth find their futures constrained by current immigration laws. The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or commonly referred to as the DREAM Act would allow undocumented immigrants from all over the world the chance to pursue their dreams of becoming a doctor, engineer, or scientist if they desired. For this reason, this week I decided to explore and examine the blogosphere in search of enlightening and edifying works that support and analyze the DREAM Act, and the impact it would have on the lives of many students if the act is passed. My examination has led me to two works that tackle some of the key issues that undocumented students are going through while obtaining a higher education. The first post entitled, “What the California Dream Act Means to Immigrant Children,” written by Joaquin Nabarrete, Associated Students Incorporated president from the California State University of Los Angeles, gives us an insight to what the DREAM Act really stands for, and how undocumented students would benefit from the passing of it. The second post titled, “Students March for DREAM Act,” written by Kat Murti, a journalist for the Daily Californian provides us with information to how far students and teachers are willing to go to in order for their voices to be heard. I offer my comments and opinions to each of the columnist’s posts below.

“What the California Dream Act Means to Immigrant Children”
Comment:
I would first of all like to thank you for your detailed and in-depth post about the DREAM Act. I found your opinions to be very informative and well addressed to the situations many undocumented students are facing when it comes to getting a higher education. I also found your site to be very informative, and a great resource tool when comes to researching other immigration issues. I myself think that the DREAM Act is a great means to reward character, strength, and hard work for undocumented students who did not have a say in whether they wanted to come to the United States or not. I appreciate the poignant interpretations you make when you reference California as the largest immigrant population in the nation, with many cultures and people from all over the world. This shows that the DREAM Act would greatly benefits immigrants from all over the world, not just immigrants of Latin American descent, like most people tend to associate when they read the word immigrant. I think that including the picture of yourself and Senator Gilbert Cedillo really ads credibility to your argument and what you are trying to get across to the reader. Although your post is very didactic and enlightening, and I agree with everything you have to express, it could have been even more helpful and interesting to read what students in your school had to say about the DREAM Act. While you do provide some links to important topics in your piece, I think it would have been very beneficial to have some more, especially for a reader that might not know that much about the subject. I understand that you are for the DREAM Act, but your convictions for it seems biased sometimes when you have no evidence to back up what you have to say. I think you have great arguments for the DREAM Act, and I think that providing as much evidence as possible to back up your argument really helps you come across as a more credible writer, especially with a subject as controversial as immigration. Also, with the DREAM Act being turned down once again do you think there will ever be some type of bill that will help undocumented students at least get financial aid loans in place of grants and scholarships? I believe that with the passing of the DREAM students who graduate from high school and college will help the nation and its economy through their increased future earnings. I would really like to hear your thoughts not only how the DREAM Act would benefit students, but also on how it would help the military as well. Lastly, I appreciate your initiative in getting the word out about the DREAM Act; I think that this act will greatly benefit the United States immensely if it is ever passed. I look forward to hearing from you and discussing this subject matter in the future.

“Students March for DREAM Act”
Comment:
Thank you for a concisely constructed piece. I have recently started to read the Daily Californian after examining some of the works from your colleague, Emily Grospe. After reading one of her posts, I followed a link that brought me to your writings. I was very intrigued with some of the things that are going on at UC Berkley, particularly with immigration and education. It is wonderful to read a piece such as yours where I can in vision what I am reading. It was really great to see that wonderful picture of all those students marching for what they believe is right alongside with their professors. After reading your editorial I really got a feel for what the students really thought and felt due to the current situation of the DREAM Act. I really enjoyed the quotes you provide to your readers as well, specially the one from Senator Gilbert Cedillo. I think that including people like him really add integrity and credibility to your piece (see right). Although I gained some valuable insights from your post, I would have really liked to have read some of your thoughts and feelings towards the rejection of DREAM Act once again by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. It would have been very beneficial to me as the reader to get your insight and views to determine where you stand on this matter. I also think that by adding some links to the quotes you mention would give your writing a stronger sense of influence. I understand that undocumented students do not want to have their picture taken or their actual name cited in anything due to their status here in the Untied States, but I think it is very important to sometimes put a face to a citation so the reader gets a feel of who you are talking about when you mention undocumented students. I have been reading many blogs, articles, and pieces that reference illegal immigrants and education, and time and time again, everyone always seems to think that every illegal immigrant is of Latin American descent. I think it would be very beneficial for informing the casual reader that not just Hispanics are suffering from the rejection of the DREAM Act. Overall, I think you guys have a great thing going at the Daily Californian. Keep up the good work; I am really looking forward to reading your next post.

Green Card Soldiers: A Path to United States Citizenship for Immigrants

America is a populace of immigrants. Their spirit of determination, exploration, hard work and devotion to an idea that is bigger than they had made this country great and what it is today. Whatever one thinks of the exodus contemplation in the present day, particularly the problem of illegal immigrants; foreigners have played a central responsibility in the building of our nation. Many now call the United States their home and they do what ever is necessary to protect it. This is evident in America’s armed forces. The United States is an international authority, and to project that authority and power successfully and efficiently, the military needs soldiers. America’s armed forces are distinguished by a patriotism that knows no boundaries and is shared by immigrants whose assistance is crucial and essential to the fight against terrorism. Just as native-born soldiers, foreign born soldiers play a special role in today’s military. Immigrants bring with them diverse backgrounds, including the ability to speak many different languages and understand other cultures and societies. In the fight against terrorism, immigrants enhance the military by offering linguistic skills and their intellectual expertise to achieve successful missions. They are devoted to and heed the call to fight for the principles of liberty and democracy. For non-citizens who meet the requirements to enlist and serve admirably, serving in the United States military offers a unique path to citizenship (see left).

The reality that America’s armed forces are facing today is the significant downfall of military recruitment. It is apparent that current recruitment programs are very ineffective. Recently the Department of Defense reported that their recruitment goals fell short in May. The Army fell short by seven percent, which was short of its goal of five thousand five hundred new applicants, while the Army National Guard fell twelve percent, and the Air National Guard fell below its target by twenty three percent. Currently the number of immigrants serving in the military range between forty thousand and forty seven thousand, according to Dr. Emilio Gonzalez, director of Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Max Boot, a senior fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations thinks that it is time that the United States starts a “freedom legion.” Referring to a unit of the military made up of entirely of legal and illegal immigrants whose reward for serving a four year term in a war would lead to a path of good compensation and a route to U.S. citizenship. The idea advocated by Mr. Boot is not entirely new. This idea has been referenced before as a part of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, commonly referred to as the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act encourages the formation of opportunities for young immigrants. I believe that now is the time to consider a new phase in the annals of American immigration. By welcoming immigrants to join the United States armed forces in exchange for an assurance of citizenship after a four year tour of duty, the United States could continue to draw some of the world’s most innovative, enterprising, and talented individuals.

Despite the growing anti-Americanism, United States Citizenship is still one of the world’s most prized commodities. Unlike most concerns dealing with the immigration debate, the proposal of offering United States citizenship to immigrants who serve a term in the military should be a winner for everyone. It is beneficial for immigrants who wish to pursue U.S. citizenship, which they could otherwise not obtain and it is beneficial for a beleaguered America military which is getting smaller in size as the war in Iraq continues. Not only would immigrants endow the United States military with an advantageous influx of exceedingly motivated soldiers, they would address some of the key deficiencies in the battle against terrorism. Immigrants would also help uphold the all volunteer force. In a time as crucial as the United States is facing right now with the war in Iraq, it is especially difficult to find enough qualified people and a ready source of recruits who speak Arabic, Pashto, Dari, and other strategic dialects that help American soldiers in battle front and behind enemy lines. Immigrant soldiers have always been a crucial part to the success of the United States in winning wars. From the Revolutionary War to World War II, immigrants have sacrificed there lives along with their American comrades for this great nation. By allowing immigrants a path to citizenship through military service, immigrants would also prove their allegiance and commitment to their new homeland, while having the chance to integrate quicker into American society(see right).

While the proposal of allowing immigrants an avenue toward U.S. citizenship by serving in the military has gained some attention from the United States Pentagon, it still has to clear a number of hurdles. Nevertheless with Senator Barak Obama winning the presidential election, the outlook for undocumented immigrants and legal immigrants is looking bright with Obama’s plan for immigration reform. To date, the Pentagon has been relatively quite on the specifics of this proposal, like what countries will be able to join, or where the recruiting stations will be, and what minimum standards will be placed on immigrants who decide to serve. Already, the Army and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sector of the Department of Homeland Security have made it easier to for green card holders who do enlist and serve get their citizenship. According to statistics from the military and the Council on Foreign Relations, there are about thirty thousand noncitizens serving in the armed forces today. Currently, Pentagon guidelines specify that only immigrants legally residing in the United States are eligible to enlist in the America’s armed forces. As the war in Iraq and Afghanistan grind on and the strain of manpower becomes evident in our nations armed forces, the proposal to induct more and more noncitizens is looking better and better. As Thomas Donnelly, a military scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute in Washington reported on the Navy Marine Corps News station “It works as a military idea and it works in the context of American immigration.”

Higher Education: The Debate Over College Tuition and Undocumented Students

Last month in my previous post entry entitled, “Cultivating Edification: The Costs of Teaching Illegal Immigrants,” I touched upon the educational system in the state of California. I explored the blogosphere to ascertain the costs and educational developments in regards to illegal immigration from children attending Kindergarten through the twelfth grade. I introduced two informative blogs that addressed and expressed some of the concerns with illegal immigrant children attending grade school and not having to pay for it. This week, I continue my exploration of the blogosphere in search of other innovative and informative blogs that address topics of interests dealing with illegal immigration and a college education in the United States. I continue the topic of education to provide some insight to a comment left in my previous blog. My examination has led me to two other compositions tackling the concern of a college education for undocumented students. Researching some of the consequences that undocumented students are going through in paying for a college education I came across a post titled “Court: Granting Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition Violates Federal Law,” written by Emily Grospe, a writer for the Daily Californian’s online blog editorials section. In it, Grospe speaks about the harsh journeys illegal student’s face when it comes to paying for a higher education. Published September 16, 2008, the author also makes a reference to the California Dream Act (see top), a state senate bill that allows illegal immigrant students who have attended a California high school for three or more years or has graduated from a California high school an exemption from paying nonresident tuition fees in a California community college or state university. However, critics are still in favor of undocumented students paying the same tuition fees as out of state U.S. born students. The second post titled, “Tuition and Illegal Immigrants: A Court Ruling that Illegal Immigrants Can’t get In-State Tuition Rates Will Harm Many Students,” comes from Scott Folsman a parent and former president of the Los Angeles 10th District PTSA association and current Vice-chair of the LAUSD Construction Bonds Citizens Oversight Committee. On September 22, 2008, Folsman provides an insight to a Los Angeles Times Editorial, and provides some information on the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. This act states that “an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a state for any postsecondary education benefits unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit.” In addition to posting my views and comments directly on the authors’ respective blog entries, I have also displayed these comments for you to examine below.

“Court: Granting Illegal Immigrants In-State Tuition Violates Federal Law”
Comment:

Thank you for an insightful post on the views of illegal immigrant students and a higher education. I wonder what will be for the future of undocumented students who are trying to better their lives and sometimes the lives of their families by getting a college education. It is wonderful to read a piece from an informed person who provides some insight on a very important situation. The fact that you decided to include California’s AB 540 law and California Dream Act in your piece really ties in this story with something that is significant and noteworthy to many Californian college students, whether legal or illegal. I appreciate the poignant observations you make when referencing currently just how much money out-of-state students are paying for tuition in the UC system. Although your post served as an educational and edifying analysis, it could have been even more helpful and interesting to read your viewpoint and perspectives on the case at hand. Also, since the California Dream Act has been amended for a second time by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who looks like he might not be coming back to office in the next governor elections, do you think that the next governor for California will amend it a third time? The reference you make in your article in regards to Kris Kobach, an attorney for the University of Missouri at Kansans, and who looks to also be representing the plaintiffs, provides a good background to the case you presented. I also thing that including what the chancellor of UC Berkley had to say about the ruling shows that you are not biased and are only looking at one side of the story. I would of also loved to of seen some pictures in your article of actual illegal immigrant students, but I know many of them decline to be photographed because of the legal status. I really enjoyed the quotes you mentioned in your article about the students who are actually going through this difficult situation. It is a sad reality that most Americans are not aware of some of the difficulties an undocumented student has to face in order to get a higher education. Lastly, I admire your initiative in providing valid information in your analysis. I really enjoyed the information you provided and I wish to read more post from you in regards to higher education and illegal immigration in the future.

“Tuition and Illegal Immigration: A Court Ruling that Illegal Immigrants Can’t Get In-State Tuition Rates Will Harm Many Students”
Comment:
I would like to start off by thanking you for writing on such on an important topic in today’s age, not only for illegal immigrant students but for America in general. The decreased attention illegal immigration has been getting due to the financial economic crisis that America is going thru right now has kind of put higher education for undocumented students on the backburner for a while. I especially like the part of the article where it states that studies have shown that an education for immigrants pays off in the end(see right). I understand that many of the undocumented students in California are here illegally, but I also keep in mind that those students and their families are tax payers that contribute to the states educational institutes. According to the Social Security Administration, it is estimated that illegal immigrants have paid $450 billion to the Social Security fund and I think that should be some type of basis for allowing these students to pay almost the same amounts as U.S. born California resident students pay for college tuition. As evidence from the articles persuasive tone, I firmly believe that students who have graduated or have attended a California high school for a least three years or more as stated in the California Dream Act should be allowed the same benefits as other Californian students. Although, I find your blog very informative and helpful in understanding the situation explained, I would have liked to have read your opinion on the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. I also would have liked to have seen some more links to your blog in order for me as the reader to connect with some of the main points of your blog and thesis. I think you have a great blog and by also inserting some pictures into it, it would make it more alluring and more credible. All in all, you have a remarkable blog that enlightens and educates the uniformed reader. I really enjoyed reading the piece and I am looking forward to reading some of your other posts.