by Kirsten Scharnberg
Everything about Rosa screams overachieving high school senior: Her 3.7 grade point average, her hectic schedule of cross-country practices and community theater rehearsals, her hopes of working her way through college to become a registered nurse.
But Rosa, 17, a soft-spoken honors student, worries every day about something the typical American teenager never has to think about: Being deported because she is an undocumented immigrant.
"Some days I feel overwhelmed by it -- just hopeless," said the young woman who came to Chicago with her parents at age 7. "But other days I have a lot of hope that things will be OK, that everything will work out somehow."
Under new and controversial legislation championed by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill., shown at left), Rosa's dreams -- graduating near the top of her class and attending college -- could change her status as an illegal immigrant. The Tribune is not publishing her surname because she is a dependent minor.
Known as the Dream Act, or Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, the legislation would provide hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship if they were brought to the U.S. as children, are younger than 30, have graduated from a U.S. high school and either enroll in college or enlist in the military.
See the rest of the story in today's Tribune:
This bill means a lot to me," Durbin said recently. "But it means even more to a lot of young people across this country."
Yet the Dream Act, which Democrats have vowed to bring to a full Senate vote in November, faces an uphill fight.
It was withdrawn last month as an amendment to a defense bill in the wake of intense public criticism. It has even raised the ire of traditionally pro-immigration groups that view the military-service component of the bill as a means of strong-arming desperate young men and women into uniform at a risky time of war. And it has infuriated anti-amnesty groups that say it has no safeguards against fraud, rewards those who have broken the law and does nothing to address future immigration enforcement.
"Listen, I agree that these individuals would be at the top of my list for legalization -- but only after we have dealt with the problem of future enforcement," said Steven Camarota, director of research at the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that advocates lower rates of immigration.
The Dream Act, which has been introduced in various forms since 2001, has significant bipartisan support; Durbin's co-sponsors are Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). Yet it comes in the wake of last summer's Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, which crashed and burned in Congress, and at a time when much of the American public has expressed disapproval of any legislation that could be interpreted as amnesty for immigrants here illegally.
The Migration Policy Institute, a non-partisan immigration think tank, has estimated the Dream Act would allow some 279,000 currently illegal residents to attend college or join the military. Further, some 715,000 illegal immigrants age 5 to 17 would become eligible in the future, according to the research group.
Advocates laud the Dream Act as a way to grant legal residency to educated young men and women who have the potential to contribute to the country by continuing on to college. In addition, they say, the legislation would funnel a pool of enlistees into the armed services at a time when the military is facing severe recruitment challenges in the wake of the war in Iraq.
"We see in these people a generation of young people who are honor students, valedictorians, young men and women with a lot to contribute to this country," said Josh Bernstein, federal policy director at the National Immigration Law Center. "These are kids who grew up here, who went to our schools, who are poised to repay the investment we've already made in their education."
A number of high-level Army officials also have come out in favor of the legislation. Durbin has touted the fact that those eligible for the Dream Act must have graduated from high school, in contrast to a large number of military recruits today.
The senator last week cited statistics that in 2006, 20 percent of Army recruits did not have a high school degree, the highest rate of school dropouts among Army enlistees since 1981.
Yet the military portion of the bill has also fueled much criticism.
"The military option right now isn't just any other option," said Jorge Mariscal, director of the Chicano-Latino Arts and Humanities program at the University of California San Diego. "It's an option where you can be killed or seriously wounded or where you will have to do killing yourself.
"The carrot of citizenship is so attractive to these kids who are so desperate for legalization," he continued. "But the problem is that during this time of war there is a huge stick behind that carrot."
Mariscal, a Vietnam veteran who has long criticized the military's aggressive recruiting in impoverished, minority communities, scoffed at arguments that the Dream Act allows young men and women to choose between the military and college. Few illegal immigrants have the financial means to make college a possibility, he said.
He also pointed out that there is no such thing as a two-year commitment to the military because every contract stipulates the Pentagon can compel an out-of-uniform service member back into duty within eight years of enlistment.
Other critics fear the bill is a covert attempt to legalize a far larger number of undocumented immigrants -- the Dream Act allows those who are eligible to sponsor their spouses or children for legal status. And the critics caution that the bill has too few safeguards against fraud.
"The Dream Act says [those who are eligible] are to have been in the U.S. at least five years. ... It's going to be very difficult to verify any of that with an illegal population," Camarota said. "And the high school diploma part comes with the same problem -- we're talking nearly a million high school diplomas rolling into an immigration system that is already completely ineffective. Are they going to call a million schools to verify that each one is real?"
Camarota and other critics consistently make one argument: Any form of legalization without a change in enforcement will only encourage more illegal immigration.
"We can't restore the rule of law by rewarding those who have broken it," Camarota said.
Bernstein said his organization is keeping a close tally of legislators who are agreeing to vote for the bill. He predicts the vote will pass or fail by a razor-thin margin, and he believes lawmakers have been deeply moved by stories of their own constituents who are in the same position as Rosa, the Chicago high school senior.
If the legislation fails and she cannot attend college in the U.S., Rosa said she would consider attending nursing school in her native Mexico. But she worries about one thing: Although she speaks Spanish fluently, she struggles with reading and writing it.
"I know I am here illegally," she said, "but it wasn't my fault. I was only 7 when my parents brought me here. I'm just trying my best to make a difference in this society that I've been raised in."
Camarota was unconvinced, saying that, sadly, children in every society often pay the price for their parents' bad decisions.
"It may not have been their fault when they were first brought here," he said, "but it is their fault now. They have become adults, and they know they are breaking the law."
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The bill's requirements:
To qualify under the proposed Dream Act, individuals must:
*Have arrived in the U.S. before age 16
*Be under 30 on the date of enactment
*Have lived in the U.S. for at least five years
*Have graduated from a high school or obtained a GED in the U.S.
*Serve in the U.S. military or attend a U.S. college for at least two years
*Have good moral character
Source: Office of Sen. Dick Durbin
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Comments
Typical Durbin,
Proposes a bill and then goes and finds the atypical mascot to parade in front of the cameras.
Why didn't he parade the 17 year-old drop out or gang member?
Posted by: Terry | October 7, 2007 8:19 AM
Terry,
You wrote:
"Why didn't he parade the 17 year-old drop out or gang member?"
Why are you so emotional?
Read the particulars of Durbin's proposed legislation.
Because the marchers in your parade wouldn't be eligible for this thoughtful, compassionate, forward looking legislative path towards citizenship for kids/people not responsible for how they came to America.
Posted by: Doug Zook | October 7, 2007 8:57 AM
Typical Libune. Take a Dem bill and then try and find a poster child we're all supposed to feel warm-and-fuzzy for.
And they AIN'T "undocumented". They're ILLEGAL.
Posted by: Bruce | October 7, 2007 8:59 AM
To: Mr. Durbin and the TAX AND SPEND DEMOCRATS may I ask just who is going to pay for the college tuition for all of these ILLEGAL immigrants? I know AMERICAN CITIZENS who cannot afford even the community college tuition. I had to do without a college education because I could not afford the costs and now YOU want ILLEGAL immigrants to become college educated at who's expense? Not with my tax dollars! Here's an idea for all the senators and congressmen, why don't each of you "ADOPT" an ILLEGAL and each of YOU personally pay for ALL of their college expenses? This way we AMERICAN CITIZENS won't have to pay to educate ILLEGALS!
Posted by: Marilyn | October 7, 2007 8:59 AM
I see students like this every day. They do not know any other way of life but the American way. To punish them for their parents misdeeds is wrong.
Why would we want to keep overachieving students who want to further their education in the medical field? Why would America want a responsible, caring person like that to stay here in this country and take care of you in the hospital, clinic or doctor's office? It's the right thing to do.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 7, 2007 9:26 AM
Because the kid is a great student and person and would be more of a contributor than many "natives" to making America a good place. What is even more of a scourge to this nation than these evildoer drop outs or gang members is ignorant bigotry. Oh, the anger in their hearts, festering at 8:00 on a Sunday morning. So very Christian.
United We Stand!
Posted by: compassionate conservative? | October 7, 2007 9:33 AM
Marilyn,
CALM DOWN.
First of all, this proposed legislation is bi-partisan.
Second, nowhere does it say taxpayers are on the hook for college educations.
Posted by: Doug Zook | October 7, 2007 9:51 AM
Typical Bruce. This bill is sponsored by 47 Senators, not all of them are Democrats. It was introduced by BOTH Senators Durbin and Hatch. Even Larry Craig is a sponsor.
Posted by: Gary | October 7, 2007 10:11 AM
Dear Rosa,
You should be very proud of the achievements you have made, but you should also be ashamed that your parents taught you to flaunt the laws of the United States by bringing you into this country illegally. You seem like a very intelligent young lady. Why dont you convince your parents to return home and come into this country legally?
(signed)
U. S. Taxpayer
How can they be of "good moral character"? They are lawbreakers!
How about devoting this legislative energy for the US Citizens who havent broken any laws?
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | October 7, 2007 10:16 AM
Marilyn you are right. Dickie Durbin is up to his old tactics reaching deep into our checkbooks. Durbin dreams we all pay. Pure and simple this is a path to citizenship outside the documented laws for citizenship and Dickie shows up with another victim the 17 year old hispanic illegal alien.Democrats always have victims and we all pay in higher taxes not now not ever Dickie you have used us and abused the citizens of Illinois for too long stop it. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | October 7, 2007 10:17 AM
There are a couple of problems here.
Tens of thousands of Americans, including poor whites, Hispanics, and African Americans, who are already citizens, have difficulty paying for college. Why not
get help for them first before we start spreading largesse around the world.
Opportunities like this would likely draw even more parents to immigrate illegally in hopes that their kids will hit the jackpot with the Dream.
And if even the legislation
does not address financing, we know these kids will be applying to state schools and for government and private scholarships, reducing the availability for current, legal residents.
Mexico, from whence a majority of these families emigrated illegally, is a wealthy country. Have the kids go home, get a visa and Mexican financial support, and pay to go to school here like emigrants from other countries. Or they could go to Europe, where education is free.
This is a purely political move on the part of the Dems.
Posted by: Helena | October 7, 2007 10:27 AM
What's this "undocumented" nonsense? Am I an "undocumented driver" if I drive without a driver's license? Am I an "undocumented hunter" or an "undocumented fisherman" if I hunt or fish without a license? No, I am a LAWBREAKER. I would be doing those things ILLEGALLY. And the fact is, most of the "undocumented" immigrants do have documents. They just are counterfeit. Let's quit the PC references and call it as it is. We should be able to at least expect respect for correct word usage from a newspaper.
Posted by: Rodriquez | October 7, 2007 10:28 AM
Obviously this is yet another attempt at back door amnesty - another effort to legitimize a portion of the 20 million who have illicitly settled here.
And at a time when urban public schools are graduating quasi-literates, these student are all characterized as being valedictorians and future nuclear scientists -- please.
Anyone been to the Chicago City Colleges or Northeastern IL Univ. lately? These places are little more than high schools with ashtrays.
So an illegal alien "student" would just have to hang around for a few years breezing thru "Ethnic Studies" courses and voila -- citizenship.
All colleges bend over backwards to find student aid for their admitees, so this is a taxpayer issue.
We've come a long way from the GI Bill when a college education was a reward for 4 years of slogging thru the jungles of Guadalcanal.
Even Orrin Hatch has withdrawn from this,his own bill.
I dare Congressional candidates to advocate this and stand before the voters.
Posted by: politwriter | October 7, 2007 11:00 AM
"To punish them for their parents misdeeds is wrong."
Do we put bank robbers in prison who have children?
Do we allow the children of bank robbers to keep the money their parent(s) stole?
When we allow a group of people to profit from their ILLEGAL actions, all we do is invite MORE of the same action.
NO TO THE BAD DREAM AMNESTY ACT!
Posted by: Russ | October 7, 2007 11:15 AM
DREAMs can come true:
Set up a college in Mexico, and send them there.
Posted by: Smirky McFlightsuit | October 7, 2007 11:30 AM
Durbin says "This bill means a lot to me". Sure it does, it will bring him more hispanic votes.
Posted by: F. Dearborn | October 7, 2007 11:51 AM
I like Durbin and I'm damned proud to have him as my senator, but this is just crazy. Illegal aliens should be deported the moment they're identified. Rosa and her parents should be sent back to their own country immediately. If they would like to become US citizens, let them get in line with the honest people. Rosa and her family - and all illegal aliens - have already failed the "good moral character" requirement.
Posted by: newton | October 7, 2007 2:04 PM
Doug,
I like the rule of law. Folks should enter this country legally. They need to get into the our system.
You folks on the left better start realizing this or your house opf cards called Social Security will becgin to crubble since current American citizens are not reproducing at a fast enough rate to support that ponzi scheme.
Posted by: Terry | October 7, 2007 2:27 PM
Never mind the drug problems and the crime these people bring with them. Never mind the drain on our pocketbooks they cause us. Never mind thejobs and educational opportunities they deny American born Citizens. They are necessary to provide slave labor for the corporations. Durbin is only serving the needs of his masters.
Posted by: Tom | October 7, 2007 3:41 PM
At another location in this paper there are over 270 comments on the DREAM Act. About 260 are tirades against it. The main call is deport, deport, deport. Do any of you haters have any idea of what it would take to deport twelve million illegals.
Germany needed several divisions of a special army to round up only six million Jews. We would neen a special force that we do not have to round up the illegals. To consolidate them so they could be shipped we would need to establish many camps all across the country. These camps will need guards of course. Halliburten could both feed and guard and use inmates for routine work.
The British during the Boer was had separate camps for men and women and children. On the other hand at the outbreak of WW11, we imprisoned whole families. The efficient Germans tattoed all their prisoners that they kept alive to work. We should consider that to identify those that sneak back in to do us harm.
In addition to a large camp on the Mexican border we will need camps at ports on each coast to send home the South American and Caribbean illegals. Cattle cars would be appropriate for getting the aliens to the camps. There are probably enough old troop ships to get them to their country of origin.
We should be able to privatize all aspects of this program including the storm troopers to round the aliens up.
This effort to get those aliens deported will cost billions of dollars.
Unfortunately, we would not survive this as a democracy and example for the free world. Only a police state could accomplish this travesty.
Posted by: c. perry | October 7, 2007 4:10 PM
I'd rather the government spend my tax dollars on programs like this and the S-CHIP than on continuing the illegal occupation of Iraq.
Posted by: Cheryl | October 7, 2007 4:37 PM
Again, all negative comments aimed at punishing the illegal immigrants and not one laying the blame at the REAL illegals -- those businesses and individuals that provide them the employment that makes it so appealing to come here. Cheap goods and cheap labor is the American way. So go ahead and get riled up about those who do all the work. Like it or not, they are part of America, and you better be prepared to pay the price when you send them back and jail their employers.
Posted by: DD | October 7, 2007 4:41 PM
Let's not forget that Mexico is sending us millions of illegal immigrants who can't make a living in Mexico. And now Durbin wants us to pay for the kids' college as well.
No way this Dream plan isn't going to result in more illegals in state and local college and state-backed educational loans.
Mexico also has Carlos Slim, worth an estimed $59 billion and widely viewed as the world's richest individual, even richer than Bill Gates. He made his money as an ntrepreneur in plutocratic Mexico. Americans need to loose the perception that it's our responsibility to let Mexicans like Slim get uber-wealthy while the American taxpayers takes on Mexico's low income and welfare population. A service for the Mexican wealthy classes, we are providing.
Or at least, maybe somebody
can ask Carlos for a couple of his billions to pay for the illegal Mexicans' education here. The kids could get a student visa and the American taxpayer would get a much-needed break.
Americans are so gullible. No wonder so many of them have financial problems.
Posted by: Helena | October 7, 2007 5:06 PM
In LA Times today
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-farmworkers7oct07,0,7492249.story?coll=la-home-center
"Growers also complain about paying for workers' housing, transportation, visas and other fees. Harry Yates, a North Carolina Christmas-tree grower, estimates that his labor costs for H-2A workers are $14 an hour, compared with a competitor whose illegal laborers cost about $7.50 an hour."
Posted by: DD | October 7, 2007 5:07 PM
And they AIN'T "undocumented". They're ILLEGAL.
Posted by: Bruce | October 7, 2007 8:59 AM
They're also people. The people who wash your dishs and cook your meals and contribute in many ways to America. I'm all for Sen Durbins legislation.
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | October 8, 2007 3:54 AM
How about we give amnesty when these criminals pay their fair share of healthcare! What a free ride...no wonder they come here in droves. Free healthcare, free college education..I think I'll come across the border too and get all the freebies! WHat a joke...Durbin is done.
Posted by: Karen | October 8, 2007 8:36 AM
This Bill is good! The best way to solve this problem is to give amnesty to those who deserve it! Their transition into our society will greatly benefit us all! They may be the same future doctors who will operate or save your life. They may be the same lawyers who will help you. Or even the same soldiers that help protect your freedom. Don't be selfish and narrow-minded. Be smart. They will contribute to us all in the end! And loyal too!
But those who are gangs and do crime should be deported immediately! We have no room for them!
Posted by: Lou | October 8, 2007 11:07 AM
I am amazed by the great ignorance this country has. Many of you do not realize that this bill will also help people who entered this country legally and they are in this country legally. This is a person like me, who have been waiting for Immigration to give me a number for me to enter college.
Ahh, another thing. Have you any idea the current situation in Mexico (by the way I am not Mexican, like most of you believe). Mexico is the most corrupt country in the world. The social gap in Mexico is the largest in the world. So it means that for every millionaire there there are 10 people who are living in the streets with no hope in the future. Why do poeple come in here??? Because they rather work in the fields for $1.50 to try to help their family in a country where they cannot even find work. Now, people out there, I dare you to find an American citizen to work in the fields for that pay.
Now moving on to the Act. These people will have the same situation your kids will have. They will have to take out loans, they will have to get help just like your kids. If universities get more selective, thats for the good of this nation because the total output of professionals will increase. This will result in more industries and better pay for your kids as a result of a better economy (which by the way has been decreasing in the preceeding months). No one will use your tax money, because passing this law will only require the work of your senators (whose pay is already fueled by your tax dollars).
To all of you, the best way to an issue is getting information to both arguements
Posted by: Maria | October 9, 2007 2:39 PM
Time for a reality check.
I do not mind hearing proud, tax paying Americans accusing illegal immigrants for breaking the law, because it is undeniably true.
What angers me so much is that they refuse to understand that illegal immigrants break the law not out of choice but out of despair. THERE IS NO WAY FOR UNSKILLED LABORERES TO GET INTO THIS COUNRTY LEGALLY, SO STOP SPREADING LIES. Do not claim that they do not want to submit to the legal path toward citizenship because there is NO SUCH PATH FOR THEM!
In a way, I would rather talk to a KKK member because at least I know he/she will be honest about their opinions. But most Americans are just plain disingenious. They always resort to using the LIE that illegals have an option to come here legally when in fact they DO NOT. The people in the line you hear about are professionals with engineering degrees for instance, who are sponsored by companies in the US. Or, they are the spouses or relatives of American citizens. The people in the line ARE NOT POOR, UNSKILLED LABORERS like the ones who break the law.
So, if you are opposed to illegal immigration, fine, good for you. But I ask you to at least do the decent and Christian thing and DO NOT SPREAD LIES THAT CLOUD THE ISSUE. NO POOR, UNSKILLED IMMIGRANT CAN LEGALLY ENTER THE US, ONLY PROFESSIONALS OR CITIZENS' RELATIVES HAVE THAT OPTION.
Posted by: MarquisdeLafayette | October 9, 2007 9:55 PM
I support the Dream Act. It is the right thing to do. The kids get educated in our schools.......all they hear is you have to go to college to succed in life. But when they are done with college they really cant do anything with their credentials. They cant contribute to this country. There is something wrong there. I totally support the Dream Act.
Dont be ignorant! It isnt a free ride! They wont get instate tuition, that is not a free ride! I dont even know why people say that. I dont know how hard work is a free ride. Its not a free ride when you can go to college on a limited income.
There wont be an illegals trying to come in just for the dream act. You would have had to be here 5 years 5 years!! Before the Dream Act gets inacted and the age limit is 30! People are also bringing up the fact that people are going to commit alot of fraud. HELLO!!!!!!! Schools keep records the schools keep transcripts for every single student! illegal or not!!
Anyways.....I support the Dream Act..I hope it passes!!!!!!
Posted by: Edgar | October 10, 2007 4:08 AM
FOR ROSA: I UNDERSTAND YOU SO GOOD! IM GOING THROUGH THE SAME! IM 17 AND A GOOD STUDENT TOO.ALL WE HAVE IS HOPE, DONT LET GO ON THAT.
FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THE DREAM ACT IS A NIGHTMARE;
HOW SAD IS TO KNOW THAT SOME AMERICANS WHO ARE THOUGHT TO BE SO SMART AND UNDERSTANDING CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHO ALL ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE. HOW IGNORANT IS TO SAY THAT ALL IMMIGRATS ARE MEXICAN, IN CASE YOU DIDNT KNOW, WE ARE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOW IGNORANT IS ALSO HOW YOU PEOPLE THINK WE ALL CAME IN HERE ILLEGALY. FOR YOUR INFORMATION, NOT ALL OF US DID.IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IM TALKING ABOUT, DON'T WORRY, I BELIEVE YOU CAN BE IGNORANT ON THAT TOO. "ITS BETTER TO BE THOUGHT SMART AND QUITE, THAN TO GIVE AN OPINION AND LET EVERYONE KNOW YOU ARE A COMPLETE IGNORANT OR IDIOT" MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE YOU SPEAK. HOW IRONIC THAT SOME IMMIGRANTS PROVE TO BE MORE AMERICAN THAN CERTAIN WHITE TRASH, ALL WE KNOW IS THIS COUNTRY AND LANGUAGE, (BECAUSE YEAH, WE SPEAK ENGLISH!AND BETTER THAN MANY AMERICANS TOO..) LIFE IS NOT ABOUT JUDGING BUT ABOUT PUTTING OURSELFS IN OTHERS SHOES AND REALIZING HOW WRONG WE CAN BE. THE GOOD THING IS WE CAN ALWAYS APOLOGIZE AND LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES. SOME OF THE THINGS YOU PEOPLE WRITE ARE JUST SO UNDESCRIVABLY WRONG, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELFS. ANOTHER THING, NOT ALL AMERICANS ARE AGAINST US, NOT ALL AMERICANS ARE IMMATURE SELFISH IGNORANTS. MOST ACTUALLY HAVE AN OPEN MIND,ARE UNDERSTANDING AND SMART. JUST A SMALL PART MAKES THEM LOOK BAD, YOU! I BET EVEN THEY ARE ASHAMED OF YOU. FOR OUR LUCK AT LEAST THOSE WHO MATTER ARE ON OUR SIDE, AND I PRAY GOD EVERY DAY SO THE DREAM ACT IS APROVED. IF IT ISNT, IT WONT BE THE END OF THE WORLD, BUT IT WILL BE THE END OF MY HOPE. IT IS BASED ON THIS DESITION THAT I WILL JUDGE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THE COUNTRY I ONCE THOUGHT WAS MINE. OH AND FOR THE PERSON WHO SAID SHES A TAX PAYER, GUESS WHAT? IMMIGRANTS PAY TAXES TOO!
Posted by: ANOTHER ALIEN | October 10, 2007 8:36 PM
Somebody, please tell me where the free healthcare and college education is! Please!!! I'm "undocumented," "illegal," whatever you want to call me. I came here legally, on a visitor's visa. We overstayed our visit in hopes of getting a green card, something that never happened. I've been here since I was 4 years old. I'm 20 now and I can't go to college. Why not? Because I can't afford it. I'm willing to work. I'm willing to pay taxes. I just can't get a work permit because I can't apply for a green card because...guess what...I'm "illegal/undocumented!"
Yet, I graduated in the top 10% of my high school with a 3.8 unweighted GPA, 4.2 weighted GPA. I got high SAT and ACT scores. I really studied hard.
The dream act would allow me to work legally and qualify for STUDENT LOANS and WORK STUDY. It would not give me any federal government scholarships or grants. There is no free college education, even after the DREAM ACT!
Your children qualify for student loans and work study if you apply for the FAFSA. The government will also pay for all of your UNMET AID. I've done the research, now you ignorant people need to do yours before you leave comments.
Posted by: Informed | October 11, 2007 3:12 AM
I am a United States citizen, and I support the DREAM ACT. Its very ironic how the Senator of Florida, Sen. Melendez, does not support it when hes a Cuban American. Of all people he should feel compassion for these innocent youth that are trying to achieve their dreams. Immigrants will persist in our country whether we want it or not. So why not educate them so that they can one day be leaders in their communities. Do we forget that our ancestors were all immigrants? Dare to be different people, and support something that will bring hope to many young people.
Posted by: Neishly | October 16, 2007 6:33 PM
Let's say there is a Disney movie that your two young children have begged you to see. Their excited when that day arrives and you get to the theater early only to find a line that you and your children will have to wait in. You stand out in the cold and know that although your children are excited they are suffering (paying a price for a "Dream")
Now a family cuts in line before you - not only is this unfair, but the manager of the theater tells the people who cut in front of you that their children can see the movie free of charge!
This has nothing to do with the color of anyone's skin!
It's called RESPECT for others and it's called doing the right thing LEGALLY!
WHAT IS SO DIFFICULT ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THAT?
Please remember Senator Durbin at election time. He is not representing us and has to go!
Posted by: J. Clark | November 12, 2007 8:08 AM
Hey, Merilyn.You expect the public to feel sorry for you. How are we suppose to feel sorry for you. Just because you didn't go to college becuase you did not have the financial needs is a little too shameful.Hey I'm going to college and I don't get federal aid.I'ts a called desire, something you lack. Don't come here and expect people to feel sorry for you. Your a great example of a quiter and overall an underachiver.Sorry no symphaty for you honey, especially since your a U.S citizen.
Posted by: David | November 12, 2007 7:02 PM