Opinion: California Dream Act, part two: Rewarding illegal actions?
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The editorial board recently wrote encouraging Gov. Jerry Brown to sign AB 131, the second part of the California Dream Act. Here’s what the law would permit:
The measure would allow illegal immigrants who graduate from a state high school and demonstrate both merit and need to apply for publicly funded scholarships and other state aid. A bill passed last month already allows these deserving students to apply for privately funded scholarships.
One argument in favor of the act is that it would prevent undocumented students from falling into what the editorial board sees as a ‘permanent underclass.’ Additionally, the measure would prime these young people to replace baby boomers on the verge of retirement. But realistically, AB 131 is just the beginning:
AB 131, however, is only a partial solution. If it is enacted, these undocumented immigrants would be allowed to earn a degree but still would not have the right to work here. Only Congress has the power to pass legislation providing a path to legalization and a green card. So far, federal lawmakers have declined to do so, and they are unlikely to produce any such bill in the near future. At least California lawmakers can offer some hope for students who want to pursue the American dream.
Readers responded with high-intensity comments overwhelmingly in opposition to the bill. Buried among them, however, were some in favor and others making related points. Here’s a sampling from our discussion board:
Undocumented immigrants are tied to poverty and unemployment rates
America needs to deport all illegals to reduce unemployment/ poverty rate. California Nightmare act steals money for law-abiding tax payers and gives it to thieves. These scholarship should help educate Americans and legal immigrants.
--PDXOregon
What we should know by now
I’ve learned that whenever a politician says the words ‘investment in the future’, whatever he is talking about is a bad idea in the present.
--802mrbill
What job awaits after the college dream ends?
I’m glad that this editorial gave all the reasons for Mr. Brown to Veto Ab131:
We didn’t ask for these Illegal Alien Students to come here. We are not responsible for their plight. Look to the parents.
This will cost (estimated at $38 million) our bankrupt State, will cost Legal Students by denying them places in higher education, and a loss of financial aid and put Illegal Alien Students to the front of the line defying the rule of law.
The subject is moot as, even if Illegal Alien Students do receive this assistance and gain a higher education, they cannot be employed legally as a Federal DREAM Act will probably never happen.
-- DonHonda
Children, regardless of nationality, are a valuable investment
The right thing! If you have invested in a company your entire life why do you think that it is a bad investment to continue supporting it if you are getting benefits from it? If you have invested in a child twelve years why do you think it is not worthy to fully prepare him until college graduation? It is a good investment and you will get benefits from that as well! Let’s finish with the Dream...support California’s Dream
--marvoice
Legal action should be taken against policymakers
This is nothing more than aiding and abetting illegal immigration, and State officials should be prosecuted for it. The US Government has already set standards for foreign students, and illegal aliens are in violation thereof. Rewarding illegal behavior only increases it.
--TimBowman
College doesn’t provide what it used to anyway
The problem is that the ‘dream’ is dead. Going to college no longer ensures anyone a comfortable, middle class life, especially in CA, so a program like this is really not necessary anymore.
--courtwhit
Dream Act rewards illegal actions
I just love the logic here, since their parents successfully broke immigration laws and allowed their children to steal a k-12 education, we should now allow them to steal financial aid and seats at colleges and Universities. PURE GENIUS!
--nonotever
The next stop should be federal Dream Act legislation
Hopefully Governor Brown has the courage to sign the Dream Act into law. Next, our federal government needs to step up and once and for all enact comprehensive immigration reform, and in addition open the doors to those immigrants so they can become citizens, as long as they have not committed a serious crime or can be identified as terrorists.
-- susansense
First citizenship, then the benefits that come with it
READ MY POST ABOVE ---they do not want to be LEGAL. ! GET LEGAL GET NOTHING. Show me where ANY of them have applied for citizenship. Smart enough for college, smart enough to find the immigration office. Smart enough for law school, the smart enough to FOLLOW THE LAW.
--cm mom
Citizens are better off than undocumented residents
First of all most objective studies by such institutions as the national academy of science state that immigration and illegal immigration has a minor net benefit. Therefore, there is no justification for any hysteria or paranoid defensiveness. Second, most undocumented workers do pay many taxes. Third, there is hidden tax no one talks about in this country. It’s called a ‘negative sales’ tax. Every time you pay for lettuce and pay the State sales tax, another one was already built into it, a negative sales tax lowering your net food bills. You may pay, maybe pay a bit more for undocumented works to fund schools and benefits, but I assure you they’re paying more than you do. Moreover, you make more than up for it with the savings on produce, meat (slaughter houses are dangerous to work in), and pre-sliced fruits and frozen vegetables. They also don’t have health care, bust their backs, and only have their children to take care of them in old age. They tend to be documented and have to pay more of their income to support their families who are not. Trust me. They pay a much heavier price then you do!
--JeremyBeckett
*Spelling errors in the above comments have been corrected.
RELATED:
Brown signs California Dream Act
California’s Dream Act passes key test
California Senate panel OKs part of Dream Act
On immigration, Rick Perry takes heat for Texas DREAM Act
--Julia Gabrick
Students and supporters hold signs during a news conference calling for passage of the Dream Act on a corner outside the Westwood Federal Building in May 2010. Credit: Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times