The DREAM Act May Become Reality

The acronym is for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, and is a piece of legislation that Reid wants to attach to another controversial piece of legislation going up for a vote, “the don’t ask, don’t tell” law that is at present being fiercely debated by the Senate.

Regardless of the controversy, Reid is seemingly oblivious to the opposition. His tenacity is to be admired and his DREAM Act, if people want to take the time to consider all its implications and weigh the pros and cons, is an enlightened piece of work.

The senator is proposing, since there are so many illegal immigrants in the county anyway, why not take those who aspire to serve in the armed forces the opportunity to do so. In return they will be granted citizenship and an opportunity to enhance their education.

But, as one could imagine, the DREAM Act has been waved aside with a hand, swept under the rug, forgotten about five minutes after it is mentioned, because so many simply do not want to be reminded that there is a generation of children growing up in America without citizenship and this could be a stellar opportunity.

The rudiments of the act: illegal immigrants must be between the ages of 12 and 35 at the time the bill is enacted. They must have arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16 and lived there for five years consecutively since their arrival, have a GED or high school diploma and no criminal record.

Senator Reid and those in support of the DREAM Act have their reasons for trying to instill this piece of legislature. It is obvious that illegal immigration is here to stay. Where are tens of thousands of people going to go? So why not take the best of what immigration has to offer and turn it into a positive for the United States. Why deport children who grew up in a country where they have been encouraged to thrive. America is now their home so let them give back to a country that will embrace them rather than shun them, has been the prevailing notion for those in favor.

For those in opposition, the DREAM Act is nothing more than a “green light,” inviting more illegal immigration into the country uninvited, which has been the prevailing Republican stance. 

But for Senator Reid the DREAM Act, which is a piece of legislation that has been a priority of his, is finally being given some serious consideration rather than “swept under the rug,” as it has in the past.

Regardless if members of Congress say yea or nay on voting day, the bill, which according to populace consensus has very little chance of passing, will at least draw more attention to the immigration reform movement. And that for Senator Reid is a step in the right direction.