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Saturday, December 18, 2010

The DREAM Act, and the hope it promised, dies in Senate



Thousands of children who were brought here to the US by their parents years ago will now continue to live in the shadows of society. They cannot obtain a driver's license, work legally, and will continue to face major barriers to higher education and permanent residency. Shame on the GOP (with the help of 5 Dems) for establishing a permanent and tragic sub-class of kids and young adults who only want to live, learn, and work in the only home most of them have ever known. DREAM Act supporters are devastated to say the least.

Myths of the Dream Act.

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35 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said:

If this would allow only for the one student, fine. What happens is that this opens up a route ultimately for any number of relatives to change status from illegal.

This can easily reach more than several dozen. That's probably one big impact that no one speaks of on either side.

December 18, 2010 1:57 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Joe, you're really tedious now.

The "dream act" and the "hope it promised," dreams and hopes, really.

NO ONE is telling these kids of illegals that they can't attend state universities. ONLY that they have to pay the same rate as AMERICAN citizen students who are out of state - since they're foreign nationals, technically speaking, they are actually getting a break.

It's absolutely wrong for them to get an in-state discount/ scholarship, and therefore pay LESS than American citizens whose families pay full taxes. THESE kids often have parents using fake Social Security Numbers if at all.

This blog veers from rightwing fearmongering nuts like David Berger to wacko leftwing bleeding hearts without a brain like Joe B.
Both pathetically predictable.

I guess if we put it on a stat table the sanity is just about in between.

This is the only country where kids of illegals born here can be granted automatic citizenship. Many of those kids then have made their parents, who knowingly broke the law to come here, AND older siblings born elsewhere (greatest numbers Mexico and C. America) citizens by their coattails. So there are already lots of such kids getting breaks OVER American, law-abiding citizens.

Apart from fairness and legality, with tuition costs rising at state schools for everyone, last thing we need is to give illegals the break while others pay more.

December 18, 2010 2:15 PM  

Blogger Unknown said:

Anonymous at 2:15 pm, See "Myths about the Dream Act" at the bottom of my post. Thank you.

December 18, 2010 2:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

This bill could have been passed any time the Democrats had 60 in the Senate and they never bothered. It is all for show to try to convince the Latino community that "they tried".

It is all BUllSH*T and the people who are upset should be upset at Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama.

They have been led down the path and lied to for two years; how much longer?

December 18, 2010 3:02 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

3:02 ever heard of filibusters dumb-ass?

December 18, 2010 3:09 PM  

Anonymous Benito Juarez said:

5 Reasons to Support the DREAM Act

Published by: America's Voice


The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that enables high-achieving young people – immigrants who have been raised here, have worked hard in school, and then pursue higher education or serve in the military – to achieve the American Dream.



Specifically, the bill gives eligible young people who were brought to the U.S. as children the opportunity to resolve their immigration status and work towards citizenship. To move from being undocumented to being a U.S. citizen, those eligible will have to pass background checks and be of good moral character, graduate from high school, and go on to complete additional requirements by either attending college or completing military service.

* The DREAM Act is important for the U.S. Armed Forces – increasing the pool of highly qualified recruits who have completed high school.

* It is estimated that approximately 800,000 young people will benefit from the DREAM Act.

1. The DREAM Act promises to dramatically increase the pool of highly qualified recruits for the U.S. Armed Forces.



The DREAM Act is recommended in the 2010-12 Strategy Plan for the Defense Department’s Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness to help the military “Shape and maintain a mission-ready All Volunteer Force.”
*


* There is a strong tradition of military service in immigrant families, but the lack of immigration status prevents many who wish to serve from enlisting. According to Margaret Stock, Lieutenant Colonel (ret.), Military Police Corps, US Army Reserve and Associate Professor of Law, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY – The DREAM Act “would allow military recruiters to enlist this highly qualified cohort of young people, and enactment of the DREAM Act would be a ‘win-win’ scenario for the Department of Defense and the United States. Deporting these young people … deprives the United States of a valuable human asset that can be put to work in the Global War on Terrorism.” [2]

2. The DREAM Act is supported by 70 percent of likely voters and by leaders in education, the military, business and religious orders.

*


3. The DREAM Act is a great return on money we have already invested and will prepare the country for the global economy.

* The students who would benefit under the DREAM Act have been raised and educated in the U.S. State and local taxpayers have already invested in the education of these children in elementary and secondary school. America deserves a return on their investment.
*


Leading businesses such as Microsoft have endorsed the DREAM Act because they recognize that our broken immigration system is draining our economy of the talent and resources needed to compete in the global economy.

4. Passage of the DREAM Act will reduce high school dropout rates and enable more students to attend college.

* Foreign-born students represent a significant and growing percentage of the current student population. Unfortunately, immigration status and the associated barriers to higher education contribute to a higher-than-average high dropout rate, which costs taxpayers and the economy billions of dollars each year. The DREAM Act would eliminate these barriers for many students, and the DREAM Act’s high school graduation requirement would provide a powerful incentive for students who might otherwise drop out to stay in school and graduate.

5. Passage of the DREAM Act will increases revenues in our communities.

* Enabling 800,000 immigrant students access to higher education would go a long way in inspiring other immigrant youth to strive for a college education. This will help boost the number of high skilled American-raised workers. As they take their place in the workplace as hard working, taxpaying Americans, they will contribute a lifetime of revenues at the local, state and federal level.

December 18, 2010 3:47 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I am a Hispanic and I do not support the Dream Act. Do you think a lot of these people who call you “Gringo” and come here just to milk the cow are going to defend your rights? They do not have alliance to this country or their gringo citizens at all. The programming they are receiving from MECHA and others is that this part of the US belongs to them. This is the old Aztlan and they are here to take over. And this is no MYTH, I know because I live among them and I hear how they think and how they express themselves about white people.

December 18, 2010 3:58 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

3:58 = Tio Tomas

December 18, 2010 4:07 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The Party of No strikes again!
The Dark Ages begin Jan 5th!

December 18, 2010 4:19 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I am a Hispanic and I do not support the Dream Act. Do you think a lot of these people who call you “Gringo” and come here just to milk the cow are going to defend your rights? They do not have alliance to this country or their gringo citizens at all. The programming they are receiving from MECHA and others is that this part of the US belongs to them. This is the old Aztlan and they are here to take over. And this is no MYTH, I know because I live among them and I hear how they think and how they express themselves about white people.

December 18, 2010 4:20 PM  

Blogger Phil Genderbong said:

JOE,

ALLOW ME TO REFRAME YOUR HEADLINE.

"The DREAM Act, and the CHEATING AMNESTY it provided by moving people ahead of those who played by the rules, dies in Senate."

There are at least two sides to every story. But you Dems had all of 2008 and 2009 to get it done, so you can only look into the mirror.

You could have done it SCOTT-FREE, but chose to pursue other things. Two years. The Dems didn't get it done. Methinks it was because they knew it would have resulted in an even worse November landslide.

You can believe what you want, and I'm sure you will.

December 18, 2010 5:11 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

I did read the Myths About the Dream Act. It knocks down a number of "straw men" myths, but does not address legitimate fears that informed voters had about the two major flaws in the Act.

First, there's no limitation placed on a naturalized "Dream" citizen as to who he or she can subsequently petition for citizenship. So the hard working high school grad then gets to apply for and obtain legal residency for his mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandparents etc etc.

Second, the opportunities for fraudulent applications were legion. There was no mechanism for early detection of bogus applications and the dependency on foreign birth certificates to show the applicant was 16 or younger when he or she entered the US, was stupid beyond belief - not only can such birth certificates be purchased on Alvarado Street for $20, but ICE has neither the time, money nor inclination to check the validity or otherwise of these, and all the other documents.

In short, this was a horribly written Dream Act with serious flaws.

If you want a Dream Act, put the work in and make it tight and precise. Don't blame extremists for its death, look to its authors and the pro-illegal immigrant rights movements that wanted a Dream Act for every illegal immigrant, not the handful who deserve a break.

December 18, 2010 5:17 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Joe,

Sorry to tell you, but you can call the Dream Act what you want, but it's amnesty for people who, regardless of fault, are here ILLEGALLY.

It is a slap in the face to everyone who has patiently waited in line and paid their taxes.

If the Act's supporters want to blame someone, they should blame their parents for putting them into this situation.

This crime and fraud against the country (which you appear to hate so much) wasn't going to fade away.

December 18, 2010 5:30 PM  

Anonymous Benito Juarez said:

Dream Act participants earn permanent residency. Not the same as citizenship you racist buttlicker!

December 18, 2010 5:34 PM  

Blogger Unknown said:

5:30, Amnesty is the very worst descriptor you could use for the Dream Act. This legislation provided and required for numerous steps to be taken in order to be granted permanent residency. Not even citizenship, but residency. Instead, the GOP has put it's head in the sand and kicked the can down the road. Very stupid on their part on so many levels, and tragic for the thousands of young people that have so much to offer to this country.

December 18, 2010 5:39 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

In my version of of the Dream Act, the U.S. would enforce immigration laws and the millions of free-loading mexicans would return to mexico.

Too many illegal aliens bring their kids here in the hope it will lead to amnesty for the whole family.

25% of the social services provided in L.A. county is for illegal aliens. We can't afford to support every poor uneducated mexican.

To Bad so sad but the illegal aliens should not come to the U.S. illegally...comprendes?

December 18, 2010 5:55 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

What I don't understand is how Mexicans, especially Mexican politicians, keep blabbing about how wonderful Mexico is, yet they come HERE for a free education and all sorts of benefits.

YET, in Mexico, you go to prison for being in there illegally.

If Mexico is so great, why are Mexicans here, and why do they throw "poor, eager Guatemalans" in prison?

December 18, 2010 6:29 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Oops, looks like Benito Juarez insists on namecalling instead of using logic.

Yet another reason why the Latino culture in the U.S. primarily lives in poverty. OH, there are a few like Arte Moreno, but for every Arte, there are a million Benitos.

Enjoy blue collar work for the rest of your life. You'll never make it in white collar society. No go wash my car.

December 18, 2010 6:31 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The Goobers will pay for this in 2012, you'll see. Meanwhile, what does the Birthday Party Clown have to say about this sudden turn of events?

December 18, 2010 7:24 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The Birthday Party Clown is very busy on Twitter labeling women as "dingbats".

December 18, 2010 7:56 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

7:24pm, the only sure thing in 2012 is that Obama, and his militant lefties, are going down in 2012.

Except for Pelosi.
She's will with 70% or more.

December 18, 2010 10:49 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Don't be a fool, 7:24pm. You don't know what you're talking about.

The Latino vote went to Obama in 2008 because he promised comprehensive immigration reform and had two years to get it done without a challenge.

It obviously didn't happen, part of which would have been the Dream Act.

That's not on the Republicans. It's on the guy who promised comprehensive immigration reform.

The Latino vote will go to the right of center in 2012, and IF the vice presidential running mate is Marco Rubio, the Latino vote will make a MASSIVE move toward the Republican nominee.

December 18, 2010 11:14 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

The media doesn't want to report the other side of the issue and that is there are 1,000's of Mexican Americans against the DREAM ACT and support SB1070 here in LA. We are sick and tired of the illegals crying victims but take billions of dollars in free services paid by us the hard working class Latinos. Why should the illegal immigrant families' kids get a break when there are good, legal Mexican American, Asian, etc. kids working 3 jobs and doing the right thing abiding by our laws to make it in America? Why aren't the Illegals applying for Citizenship and learning English as the Asians do when they come here. You say illegals are living in the shadows. BULLSHIT. Go downtown or any other miniority community and you will see illegals blatantly breaking the law illegal vending. There is over 12% unemployment in LA yet the only ones breaking the law as you say "their just trying to make a living" are the ILLEGALS. Americans abide and respect our laws and don't make excuses. Illegals aren't afraid but use that card to get sympathy. The illegals in this City are arrogant, ungrateful, demanding and have a sense of entitlement. I have helped many illegals in many years and have come to realize they have an attitude of "WE Deserve Everything FREE." I no longer help them. The media needs to report the other side of the issue but won't. They don't want the nation to know Latinos (legal) don't support the Mecha, Chicano BS attitude.

December 19, 2010 10:01 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Joe, I'm usually on the liberal side of things, but I am thrilled this crap didn't pass.

Children of undocumented immigrants can file for papers - same as everyone else, including my family.

December 19, 2010 10:02 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

DREAM ACT BILL
From a spending standpoint, we can't afford this. Legal standpoint, it's illegal and unfair. I'm an immigrant and Republicans are the only ones who stand for America. People from all over the world struggle to get in this country. How would you feel if someone cut in front you in a line or while driving? Also, legal citizens of this country are not entitled to free college education? The Democrats have gone too dangerously far too left and extreme. Until they move to the center, they should be punished on the next election cycle including Obama. I hate it when these guys give away money that's not their like my tax dollars. The liberals are also burying us into debt with their wasteful spending.

December 19, 2010 11:42 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

You have two families: "Joe Legal" and "Jose Illegal".

Both families have two parents, two children, and live in California .

Joe Legal works in construction, has a Social Security Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Jose Illegal also works in construction, has NO Social Security Number, and gets paid $15.00 cash "under the table".
Ready? Now pay attention...

Joe Legal:$25.00 per hour x 40 hours =$1000.00 per week, or $52,000.00 per year. Now take 30% away for state and federal tax; Joe Legal now has
$31,231.00.

Jose Illegal:$15.00 per hour x 40 hours =$600.00 per week, or $31,200.00 per year. Jose Illegal pays no taxes. Jose Illegal now has
$31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays medical and dental insurance with limited coverage for his family at $600.00 per month, or $7,200.00 per year. Joe Legal now
has $24,031.00.

Jose Illegal has full medical and dental coverage through the state and local clinics at a cost of $0.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal makes too much money and is not eligible for food stamps or welfare. Joe Legal pays $500.00 per month for food, or $6,000.00 per
year. Joe Legal now has $18,031.00.

Jose Illegal has no documented income and is eligible for food stamps and welfare. Jose Illegal still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays rent of $1,200.00 per month, or $14,400.00 per year. Joe Legal now has $9,631.00.

Jose Illegal receives a $500.00 per month federal rent subsidy.

Jose Illegal pays out that $500.00 per month, or $6,000.00 per year. Jose Illegal still has $ 31,200.00.

Joe Legal pays $200.00 per month, or $2,400.00 for insurance. Joe Legal now has $7,231.00.

Jose Illegal says, "We don't need no stinkin' insurance!" and still has $31,200.00.

Joe Legal has to make his $7,231.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, etc.

Jose Illegal has to make his $31,200.00 stretch to pay utilities, gasoline, and what he sends out of the country every month.

Joe Legal now works overtime on Saturdays or gets a part time job after work.

Jose Illegal has nights and weekends off to enjoy with his family.

Joe Legal's and Jose Illegal's children both attend the same school. Joe Legal pays for his children's lunches while Jose Illegal's children get a government sponsored lunch. Jose Illegal's children have an after school ESL program. Joe Legal's children go home.

Joe Legal and Jose Illegal both enjoy the same police and fire services, but Joe paid for them and Jose did not pay.

Do you get it, now?

If you vote for or support any politician that supports illegal aliens...

You are part of the problem!
It's way PAST time to take a stand for America and Americans!

December 19, 2010 11:43 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

December 19, 2010 11:43 AM
Oh my is that good.

December 19, 2010 1:07 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

Joe B. please explane to me how someone with a Latino/as Studies degree helps. I don't understand.

December 19, 2010 1:48 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

11:43am - the problem with your 'Tale of Two Families' is that it is well thought out, logical and reasoned. Therefore it will be completely ignored by democrats.

December 19, 2010 3:47 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

It's time for a public outcry to amend L.A. COUNCIL'S LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SALARIES that are attached to the JUDICIAL BRANCH, “judges of the Municipal Court.”

It is obvious their OVER INFLATED LEGISLATIVE BRANCH SALARIES need to be placed before the voters in a special election, which will allow their LEGISLATIVE BRANCH DUTIES AND SALARIES of over $170,000 a year to be adjusted and consistent with other legislative branch salaries of $95, 291 or less.

Remember, there are three branches of government for checks and balances, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

The current Los Angeles Charter needs to be changed because council's duties and salaries belong in the Legislative Branch, NOT in the judicial branch.

Los Angeles Charter - Article II Sec. 218.
Compensation of Elected Officers

(1) Salaries. Members of the City Council shall be paid a salary equal to that prescribed by law for judges of the Municipal Court of the Los Angeles Judicial District or its successor in the event that court is dissolved or reconstituted.

The Controller shall be paid a salary that is 10% more than that of a Council member. The City Attorney shall be paid a salary that is 20% more than that of a Council member. The Mayor shall be paid a salary that is 30% more than that of a Council member.

The Controller shall be responsible for ascertaining the salary of Municipal Court judges and for setting and adjusting the salaries of elected officers in accordance with this section. Salaries shall be paid in bi-weekly increments unless the Council, by ordinance, prescribes otherwise.

(3) Operative Date of Changes in Salaries. The salaries of elected officers shall be adjusted in the manner provided in this section upon the effective date of any change in the salaries of Municipal Court judges.

December 19, 2010 6:28 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

How does this happen 2:15? Could you explain your statement? I'm not sure how the kid born here gets the whole family to become citizens.

2:15 said:
Many of those kids then have made their parents, who knowingly broke the law to come here, AND older siblings born elsewhere (greatest numbers Mexico and C. America) citizens by their coattails.

December 20, 2010 12:02 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said:

5:17 and 2:15 must be the same stupid person.


5:17 pearls of wisdom:
First, there's no limitation placed on a naturalized "Dream" citizen as to who he or she can subsequently petition for citizenship. So the hard working high school grad then gets to apply for and obtain legal residency for his mother, father, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, grandparents etc etc.

December 20, 2010 12:06 PM  

Anonymous RobThomas said:

Anonymous said...

The media doesn't want to report the other side of the issue and that is there are 1,000's of Mexican Americans against the DREAM ACT and support SB1070 here in LA.

.............

Thousands. LOL. Maybe it's because there's MILLIONS of Mexicans in Los Angeles, and a thousand within those millions amounts to a minority so small it's barely even detectable. The media doesn't bother with non stories.

December 21, 2010 12:36 PM  

Anonymous g said:

THE DREAM ACT, ANYTHING BUT! THIS IS WHAT PROGANDA CAN DO IF WE LET OTHERS TELL US WHAT TO DO. ARE YOU READY TO PAY FOR A ILLEGAL PERSONS EDUCATION AND YOUR KIDS. SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WANTS A FREE RIDE. I THING IF THEIR COUNTRY OF BIRTH OR ORIGIN IS SO GREAT THEY SHOULD SEND THEM THE BILL, BUT NOT IN BLEEDING HEART AMERICA WHAT FOOLS WE ARE.

December 21, 2010 4:18 PM  

Anonymous RobThomas said:

G, Mexico's thriving industry right now seems to be cartels. I don't know about you, but I'd rather have young Mexican adults here stateside studying.

December 21, 2010 5:34 PM  

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