The Dream Act is a controversial bill which as been brought forward to the legislator for discussion. Dream act is an acronym for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien minors. This Act aims at full filling many people’s dreams since as being the biggest economy in the world, it is wishful for them to work and live in America. The act seems to incorporate young non American residents who have lived in America for at least seven consecutive years. The young people will study and work in America (Laabs, 6). Some of the immigrants in America arrived into the country while too young and barely know much about their motherland. It would be unfair to deport them back to their native countries at the critical juncture of their youth to go and start a new life.
There has been a debate arising due to passing of the Act. Some of the Native American citizens support it whereas there are others who think there will be an increase in insecurity to the country. There is also a view that it will encourage illegal immigration to the country, increasing the rate of illegal activities in the country. Supporters of the Act seem to hold a different view and see this as an opportunity to tap talent and use it in growing the American economy (Durbin, Sessions and Congressional Digest Corporation, 41). In view of this benefit which will be brought forward by the bill, there supposedly many benefits which outweigh the negative effects of it. In this essay, I will bring out the view how this Act will be of benefit to America’s Economy and people as a whole.
The 2009 version of the dream act has a number of conditions that are necessary for one to be considered to apply for the process. The person applying must be between the ages of 12- and 35. It must be proved that one arrived in the country before the age of 16 (Laabs, 19). People who arrived in the country and hold on to a non- immigrant visa are not eligible to apply for citizenship through according to the dream act specifications. Male dream act beneficiaries should have registered with selective service. The bill also states that only graduates from an American High School, obtained a GED, or have been admitted to an institution of higher learning will be considered. To top it all, any person to be considered to benefit from the Act should portray that he or she is a person of good moral character (Jiménez, 52).
According to recent study carried out by UCLA, it suggests that the taxes remitted from the wages would range from between $1.4 trillion to $3.6 trillion. This would decrease America’s budget deficit by $1.4 billion increasing the government’s revenues by $2.3 billion over a period of ten years (Durbin, Sessions and Congressional Digest Corporation, 65). This also means that the country would not experience would not need to get loans from countries like China anymore. The country’s economy has been experiencing strains recently and the move would provide a big boost to it.
The move will also make sure that the country has tapped talent for use in the country which will prepare the country for global market upsurge. The talented, multi racial, multi lingual young people will be assets to the country. They will help be returning a favor for the education and good life they have had in America. The large number of high school drop outs will also drastically reduce since young people have an opportunity to further there study making their lives better. Many of the immigrant students suffer a big deal due to the many barriers placed making their lives a nightmare. This will enable the students develop skills courtesy of America which is a noble thing.
An opportunity to serve in the American Army is also one of the benefits that will be subjected by the bill. America has since standards to join the American Army and this because of the few people willing to join and serve the country in battlefields. This is due to a provision in the Act which points out that the citizenship applicants must serve in the army for at least for two years this suggests that the army needs to be strengthened, and this young people getting the opportunity will help fulfilling the task (Smith, 81). The army also will help in promoting discipline at the same time suppressing their allegiance to the country.
There have been a number of critics that are opposed to the passing of the bill due to some concerns which should also be considered. One of their arguments suggests that the bill will encourage more illegal immigrants to the country. This point of concern is a serious one but due to the long process to be followed for one to attain the citizenship it would be inconsiderate (Smith, 28). The other pertinent issue of their concern is the issue of insecurity. There is a suggestion that the influx of immigrants will promote the increase of insecurity. The matter of insecurity is taken care by the act since it suggests that one should portray good moral standards for consideration. This will make sure that the immigrants will be vetted, and the country security will not be at risk per se (Jiménez, 30).
In conclusion, the Act considers the future life of young people living in America. The consideration of assimilating these young bloods to the country means a lot to the country’s image as well as security and economy (Durbin, Sessions and Congressional Digest Corporation, 73). The benefits overweigh the disadvantages and this is normal since choices have choices have consequences, and we can not live without choices in life.
Works cited
Durbin, R, J. Sessions, and Congressional Digest Corporation. The DREAM Act: Immigrant access to higher education - should Congress pass the Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors (DREAM) Act?. Bethesda, MD: Congressional Digest Corp, 2010. Print.
Jiménez, Cristina. "American DREAM: How the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act Would Strengthen and Expand the American Middle Class." (0): Print.
Laabs, K. The DREAM Act: Dreams on hold. N.p., 2013. Print.
Smith, M K. Imagining the American nation: a critical examination of citizenship in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. N.p., 2011. Print.
