Each year, about 65,000 undocumented
students in the United States graduate from high school. And each year, those
are another 65,000 young people who potentially could have been the next
greatest doctor, lawyer or entrepreneur.
But because of current long and strict legalization processes, many of
these young folks are not able to work, drive, or even vote. Undocumented
students will not be able to obtain a higher education, undocumented workers
will not be able to succeed in the professional world, and America will suffer
because of it. But there could be a more practical passage to citizenship for
these young Americans at heart – the DREAM Act.
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.” Most of us learn this in grade school; kindergarten or first grade at the latest. Students in the United States pledge to the US flag every day all through elementary school, middle school, and sometimes even high school. They take American history classes; and the purpose is for them to learn how this country came to be, and how we can learn from our founding fathers (immigrants) to make this country better for everybody. But the undocumented students attending these schools, taking these classes and living an American lifestyle can’t help make this country better because the country that they call “home” will not allow them to contribute. Immigrant children who are brought by their parents to this country learn to embrace the culture of Americans, not because they “want” or “have” to, but because it becomes all they know; America is their home. For most, English is their first and only language. And many of these children grow up not knowing that they are “illegal”. Undocumented students, many of who are valedictorians or on the honor roll, find themselves not being able to pursue their dreams, which is why they are “the dreamers”. So what’s the point? What’s the point of making the honor roll if it is no use to them anyway? They can’t go to college, and is that fair? President Obama said, “They are Americans in their heart, in their minds, in every single way but one: on paper.” If coming into this country illegally is a crime, they were not the ones to commit the crime. They had no choice when they came and did not know really what was happening or why they were being brought here. All they know is that this is all they know. This is where they grew up, went to school, created memories, and expected to build their lives. The DREAM Act would be a way America of telling them, “We understand it’s not your fault that you’re here, and if you agree to abide by the rules of this law and contribute to this country, we will legally allow you to consider America your home.” They are Americans, just not legally.
The DREAMers, as they are called, grow up
in this country and call it their home; they and their parents contribute to
the economy by paying taxes just like citizens do, even if they are at risk of
being deported. Most try to play fair. Giving undocumented students the
opportunity to receive a college education and obtain higher-paying jobs will
greatly benefit this country. It means more money for the economy! If more
people go to college that means colleges will receive more money, and the more
students there are, the more job openings for professors there will be. If more
undocumented students are able to obtain higher-paying jobs, they will pay more
in taxes and have means to buy more taxed products, which will also help the
economy. If more students graduated from college, and more young folks opened
businesses, there would be more jobs for everybody. Each of the 65,000
undocumented high-school graduates could have been one more entrepreneur each
year -- but because we refuse to pass this act, that’s another 65,000 less new
businesses in the United States, that would potentially create more jobs and
move the economy. It’s all a domino effect, and it all starts with the DREAM Act.
America is made up of immigrants. At some
point or another, all of our ancestors came from a different country. So now
that we’re here, living the American Dream, why is it that we’re so selfish and
can’t let new immigrants live that American Dream, too? If they are good people,
are willing to work hard and embrace the culture of this country, why not allow
them to be part of it? In other words, the DREAM Act would technically only
legalize “good” immigrants; those who have “stayed out of trouble” and stayed
in school. Having young people who are multi-cultural and multi-lingual helps
with international relations and various other industries. And because this
country is made up of so many people who speak so many languages, more and more
jobs are in need of workers that are multi-lingual, including health care,
education and hospitality.
People across the United States have
rallied to support President Obama’s decision to “halt” the deportation of young
undocumented Americans. Not
allowing the DREAM Act to pass will greatly affect young, undocumented
Americans, jobs, and the United States. Everybody knows that America has been
known to be the “land of opportunities”. So why not give these undocumented
students, who are in this country (their home) at no fault, the opportunity to
be a part of it? Lets allow them to contribute to our economy, to help find
cures to diseases, to fight for this country in the armed forces, to become
entrepreneurs and create more jobs. It really is a win-win situation.
