2008 Woodie Awards
California DREAM act vetoed again
Donald McNair
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The California DREAM Act, which stands for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, was vetoed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Oct.15.
The DREAM Act was a bill that many immigrant activists were riding on to help children of illegal immigrants receive financial aid for college.
The bill would permit some immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military.
It would also eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status, according to the National Immigrant Law Center's Web site.
"If they really wanted to, they could become citizens. It shows that they don't care about the country," said 28-year-old business major Jeremy Whiteman. "If they don't take the initiative, they don't deserve it."
The DREAM Act passed the senate judiciary committee twice; once by an approval of a 16-3 margin in 2003 and again in March of 2006 in which it was added to a broader, more comprehensive immigration reform bill. A total of 28 senators signed onto the DREAM Act as sponsors or co-sponsors, along with more than one-third of the house.
"If people want a better life, let them get it how they can," said 23-year-old, television broadcasting major William Johnson.
The DREAM Act would apply to "students with good moral character who came to the U.S. at age 15 or younger at least five years before the date of the bill's enactment," in which the students would receive "conditional permanent resident status upon acceptance to college, graduation from a U.S. high school or being awarded a GED," according to the NILC's Web site. However, students who have committed crimes, are considered a security risk or are "inadmissable or removable on certain grounds" would not qualify.
"They should know that they should be registered," said 19-year-old Joe Klein. "There are a lot of people that aren't immigrants that have trouble affording college."
Senator Barack Obama touched on this issue by saying, "if Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the DREAM Act a second time, he will compound the immigration crisis by driving thousands of children who are on the right path into the shadows."
Although the bill was pushed for six years, to hopeful college students, it seems that for now, the California DREAM Act is just a dream.
The DREAM Act was a bill that many immigrant activists were riding on to help children of illegal immigrants receive financial aid for college.
The bill would permit some immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for temporary legal status and eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military.
It would also eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status, according to the National Immigrant Law Center's Web site.
"If they really wanted to, they could become citizens. It shows that they don't care about the country," said 28-year-old business major Jeremy Whiteman. "If they don't take the initiative, they don't deserve it."
The DREAM Act passed the senate judiciary committee twice; once by an approval of a 16-3 margin in 2003 and again in March of 2006 in which it was added to a broader, more comprehensive immigration reform bill. A total of 28 senators signed onto the DREAM Act as sponsors or co-sponsors, along with more than one-third of the house.
"If people want a better life, let them get it how they can," said 23-year-old, television broadcasting major William Johnson.
The DREAM Act would apply to "students with good moral character who came to the U.S. at age 15 or younger at least five years before the date of the bill's enactment," in which the students would receive "conditional permanent resident status upon acceptance to college, graduation from a U.S. high school or being awarded a GED," according to the NILC's Web site. However, students who have committed crimes, are considered a security risk or are "inadmissable or removable on certain grounds" would not qualify.
"They should know that they should be registered," said 19-year-old Joe Klein. "There are a lot of people that aren't immigrants that have trouble affording college."
Senator Barack Obama touched on this issue by saying, "if Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the DREAM Act a second time, he will compound the immigration crisis by driving thousands of children who are on the right path into the shadows."
Although the bill was pushed for six years, to hopeful college students, it seems that for now, the California DREAM Act is just a dream.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
howard
posted 11/30/07 @ 12:46 PM PST
It is a good thing it failed. There shouldn't be any programs that benefit Illegal iimigrants for 2 reasons.
1. It gives them another reason to stay. (Continued…)
Debbie
posted 12/01/07 @ 8:55 AM PST
This is just another reason illegal immigrants should not come here in the first place. They create even more problems for their kids as they become adults. (Continued…)
Ann
posted 12/01/07 @ 9:45 AM PST
These are innocent people who will contribute to society. Why are we trying to block this.
They didn't commit any crimes themselves, they are innocent. (Continued…)
Jim Williams
posted 12/01/07 @ 12:06 PM PST
What many forget is that even if these illegals are given a chance to take a college slot reserved for the citizens, they cannot work legally in this country with their new degrees. (Continued…)
levotb
posted 12/01/07 @ 12:40 PM PST
Illegal is illegal. ANY new bill that tries to circumvent Federal Immigration law is against the law (Federal law is the law of the land) and Mexicans and other foreign nationals here illegally--called properly "illegal aliens"--have a right to leave this country and DREAM in their own countries!
Burns
posted 12/01/07 @ 12:54 PM PST
Oh, please. Go cry to your mommas but don't come crying to me. When is this nation going to STOP rewarding law breakers? And for the bleeding-hearts that want to whine about how it's "UNFAIR" to penalize children for the actions of their gate-crashing parents: Take your thumbs out of your mouths, put some dry sheets on your beds and GROW UP!!! The children of citizens pay for the criminal acts of their parents all the time. (Continued…)
Bobby
posted 12/01/07 @ 1:02 PM PST
Schwarzenegger has to veto it. Otherwise, all of Mexico's citizens will come here for a free education--at the expense of American taxpayers, who are already paying higher costs for EVERYTHING in California, because of overwhelming illegal immigration. (Continued…)
Mary
posted 12/01/07 @ 11:40 PM PST
Awarding benefits to the children of illegal aliens is exactly the reason their parents came to the U.S. in the first place. Further, the federal DREAM act would allow EACH student to sponsor up to 18 family member (including their parents). (Continued…)
luz
posted 12/24/07 @ 10:06 AM PST
I would like to see what happens to USA if we deport 15 millions of Illegal Imigrants. Then people would really know whether these imigrant are a contribution to this country or not. (Continued…)
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