The issue of illegal immigrants has been a major concern in the US for many years. Due to the vast border area and the open border system, there are quite a lot of illegal immigrants who pour into the US year after year. There have been various regulations trying to control these illegal immigrations, including deportation. However, there is one issue that still draws much attention when it comes to the illegal immigrants. This is the issue of education where it is not clear as to whether states should be required to educate the children of illegal immigrants. This essay seeks to address this issue in greater detail, with the aim of asserting that states should actually be required by law to educate the children of illegal immigrants.
According to Orchowski (Para 1), this issue came up after the Capitol Hill demonstrations where High School students were being harassed by the police. In commenting on this issue, the president mentioned the DREAM Act. This is an act which stands for Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors). The president aired his support for the DREAM Act since he felt that it would help to resolve the problem of education for the children of illegal immigrants. This Act holds that the children who came into the country illegally before they attained the age of 16, and have lived in the US for at least 5 years, have a clean police record and have the high school qualifications should be allowed to stay in the country and also be allowed the legal status of a citizen. These people would be allowed to continue their two years of college education or military service, and then they can attain full citizenship. Orchowski (Para 5) also observes that this Act does not give a leeway for illegal immigrants to come into the US and attain the legal citizenship status. Rather, it would be designed in such a manner that it only allows those who are qualified and are already in the country, not those who will come later.
Well, looking at this argument, it is definite that the states should be required to give the children of illegal immigrants a chance at education. Otherwise, there is no way that they can attain these qualifications. Though the DREAM Act might have its shortcomings, it cannot be denied that its provisions are in favor if an education program for the children of illegal immigrants. As such, in line with these recommendations, there is no excuse for the states to decline from offering an education to these children.
Monroe (Para 1) also discusses this issue and gives an example of the same. He describes a situation where three young boys were illegally pushed to come into the US by their parents. They lived with different family members as they tried to earn an education. However, when they got the High School qualification, it became quite hard for them to go on as they had not attained the legal status. This is quite disheartening and discouraging for the young people. They have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. If they are not allowed to go on with their education, then their lives are ruined and they might be forced to take to illegal activities so as to continue surviving. Monroe (Para 8) further indicates that this is a plight that befalls quite a number of high school graduates. He argues that every year, about 65,000 youths find themselves in such a fix. They have finished their high school level but cannot go on with studies since they are considered as illegal. This is such a big number to ignore. If the states do not educate these children, it is not clear as to what they should do. They have nowhere else to go, but also have no means to earn a living. Definitely, they have to stay within the country and try to make a living one way or another. This can make them resort to social crimes, leading to a disorderly society.
In line with this, Monroe (Para 6) posits that rather than loosing all these talents, the states should allow the children of illegal immigrants to go on with their education. He further indicates that the children should not be made to suffer for their parents’ actions. If the children have stayed and studied in the US, then they deserve to be given a chance to go on with their education, earn a decent living and in the process lead to the development of the country. Though the federal government is yet to accept this fact, there are some states that have taken it up and are taking care of these children. These states include Illinois and California which have already accepted the DREAM Act. This is the way to go as it would not only improve the lives of the people, but also have a chance of reducing the cases of social crimes in the society as the young people would be given a chance to make a more decent living.
Unmuth (Para 1) observes that the issue of educating children of illegal immigrants has become more of a reality. She quotes a situation where the US Department of Education wrote to all the schools reminding them that the children of illegal immigrants were entitled to a free education. This came about after concerns were raised that some schools were not allowing the illegal immigrant children to go to school. Well, this is an indication that there is the need for the schools to make sure that they give the children a chance at life. This is the right thing to do.
Based o the above arguments, this essay seeks to assert the position that the states should allow the children of illegal immigrants to go on with their studies. There are a number of reasons for this argument. First of all, it has to be noted that it was not the idea of the children to come to the US illegally. Their parents made the decisions for them and, therefore, the children are innocent. As such, there is no justification as to why they should be punished for the crimes of their parents. Secondly, these children have grown up in the US and they have no other place they call home. Therefore, if they are treated as aliens and not allowed to enjoy the privileges that other children do, then this will be a form of open discrimination. Lastly, there are the considerations in the DREAM Act. This clearly indicates that the children of illegal immigrants who have fulfilled certain regulations should be allowed to go on with their education and also to be legal citizens. The states should simply adopt this Act and let the innocent children go on with their lives.
Works Cited
Monroe, Michelle A. “Illegal Immigrant Students Deserve an Education.” Daily Wild Cat, Dec. 6, 2011. Web. 25th Nov. 2012,
Orchowski, Peggy. “Children of Illegal Immigrants Caught in Education Politics Crossfire.” US News, Aug. 9, 2010. Web. 25th Nov. 2012,
Unmuth, Katherine Leah. “US Department of Education Sternly Reminds Districts that Illegal Immigrant Children are Entitled to a Free Primary Education.” Dallas News, May 10, 2011. Web. 25th Nov. 2012,
