Politics

DREAM Act fails in Senate

Yesterday, the DREAM Act failed to reach the 60 votes necessary for consideration in the U.S. Senate. This was a disappointment, and was encouraged by the White House, which issued a Statement of Administration Policy yesterday against the legislation. The DREAM Act would grant undocumented immigrant youth who were brought to this country as children, and therefore did not have a say in the matter, to go to college or enter the military.

The Washington Post editorial "Dreams Crushed" today points out an important fact regarding the position of the White House:

In its policy statement yesterday, the administration asserted that it was "sympathetic" to the plight of these young people but insisted that the measure "falls short" because it would create "a special path to citizenship that is unavailable to other prospective immigrants -- including young people whose parents respected the nation's immigration laws." Of course, the administration-backed comprehensive immigration reform measure, which failed earlier this year, also provided for special, expedited treatment of young people in this category. The administration had no problem with the provision then, and its complaints now seem as cowardly as they are unpersuasive.

The Administration also begins and concludes their statement by stating our country needs comprehensive reform. I could not agree more. Comprehensive immigration reform, with increased border security, earned legalization for those who qualify, and a guest worker program with tough employer sanctions, is what this nation so desperately needs right now. However, absent comprehensive reform, providing students who have worked hard in school and are qualified to receive conditional legal status with the opportunity go to college or enter the military and therefore help contribute to our nation, would be a good step forward. In many cases, these kids have known no home other than the United States and could help move our economy forward and assist our military, which as we all know is overstretched and in need of new quality individuals.

Full post as published by Silvestre Reyes Blog on October 25, 2007 (boomark / email).