Stop the 'Dream Act'

            The “Dream Act” amnesty is back before Congress again. It would give legal status and the pathway to citizenship to possibly 500,000 illegal aliens who came to the U.S. before the age of 16. But it is not a benefit offered “to children,” as some of its supporters claim. Applicants can be as old as 35.

            Dream Act proponents say it isn’t fair to deny legal status to people who first entered the U.S. with their parents and did not break our laws at that time by their own choosing. But after becoming adults they are responsible for breaking our laws by choosing to remain here. Those over 21 who get legal status and citizenship through the Dream Act can petition to get legal residence for their lawbreaking parents other relatives.

            Among its provisions, Dream Act will allow those who apply for it to enjoy in-state tuition for colleges and universities. This would give them an advantage over American citizens from other states who would have to pay out-of-state tuition. Talk about unfairness.

            Critics of the legislation, H.R. 1751 in the House and S. 729 in the Senate, say that the Department of Homeland Security probably doesn’t have the resources to prevent ineligible illegal aliens from taking advantage of the Act, or the resources to monitor those who are eligible to make sure they comply with its provisions, such as not becoming a public charge.

            In any case, the Dream Act will certainly do what all amnesties will do. By rewarding illegal behavior, they will encourage more of it. This not the message we need to be sending now. With more than 11 million Americans out of work and unemployment moving toward ten percent, we don’t need to increase competition for scarce jobs—particularly at the expense of our lower-income citizens.

            Some Washington observers believe that the amnesty lobbies are advancing the Dream Act as a means of testing how far they can go. If successful with this legislation, they may feel they have a green light to move toward their ultimate objective: mass amnesty for the 12 or more illegal aliens now residing in the United States.

            Immigration reformers need to stop this train before it leaves the station by making it known to Washington that the Dream Act is unacceptable. Call the offices of your representative and senators and tell them to oppose H.R. 1751 and S. 729. To reach those offices call the Capitol Hill Switch Board at (202) 224-3121.