The Dream Act: Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors
The Dream Act was first introduced to the US Congress in August 2001 under President George W. Bush’s first term. This act which stands for Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors has become a major stepping stone for the long debated issue of immigration reform. It wasn’t until mid-2012 under President Barack Obama’s first term that legislature similar to The Dream Act actually came to fruition. Legislation known as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) grants those persons who were brought to this country illegally while they were under the age of 16 and who were under age 31 when the policy took place, have no criminal record, and are willing to go to college or serve the US military the right stay in this country without the fear of facing deportation during the next two years. The issue of immigration in particular illegal immigration has been a controversial topic our government has argued on a variety of perspectives. This issue has been long debated from the perspective of national security to jobs, economy as well as human rights violations.
The reality is that this country was built upon the hard work and dedication of immigrants, and while it continues to remain welcoming to immigrants from around the world the issue of illegal immigration in particular after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 have only made the debate on immigration reform that much more difficult. While advocates of The Dream Act and other legislation such as DACA argue that those who arrived to this country illegally while still a minor should not be penalized for their parents actions and/or decisions to bring them to the US, those who oppose the act claim that allowing those very same minors the opportunity to study and serve the US military are taking those same opportunities away from current US citizens. Regardless of which side you find yourself standing on the issue of illegal immigration is a very real one, and one that must continue to be
The reality is that this country was built upon the hard work and dedication of immigrants, and while it continues to remain welcoming to immigrants from around the world the issue of illegal immigration in particular after the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 have only made the debate on immigration reform that much more difficult. While advocates of The Dream Act and other legislation such as DACA argue that those who arrived to this country illegally while still a minor should not be penalized for their parents actions and/or decisions to bring them to the US, those who oppose the act claim that allowing those very same minors the opportunity to study and serve the US military are taking those same opportunities away from current US citizens. Regardless of which side you find yourself standing on the issue of illegal immigration is a very real one, and one that must continue to be