House passes immigration Dream Act -UPDATE-

[Hazcat]

The bill gives young illegal immigrants a path to citizenship if they enroll in college or enlist in the military. Supporters call its passage historic — but Democrats probably don't have enough votes to get it through the Senate.

By Lisa Mascaro and Kathleen Hennessey, Tribune Washington Bureau

December 9, 2010

Reporting from Washington —
The House passed a landmark youth immigration bill known as the Dream Act on Wednesday night largely along party lines, but the measure faces a tough test in the Senate as Democrats struggle to pass priority legislation in the waning days of this Congress.

Eight Republicans joined in approving the bill, 216 to 198. Thirty-eight Democrats voted no. The measure offers a path to citizenship for young people who were brought to this country illegally before age 16 and who have enrolled in college or entered the military.

--SNIP--

Obama called on the Senate to follow suit.

The bill could come up there as soon as Thursday but is unlikely to attract the necessary 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. Republican senators have vowed to block all legislation until a stalemate over the George W. Bush-era tax cuts is resolved. Obama and the GOP have reached a deal, but Democrats haven't signed on.

--SNIP--

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-1209-congress-20101209,0,7164104.story

[fightingquaker13]

I actually support this. Some will be surprised because I'm pretty hard core on the border. Others will thnk I'm just being a liberal. Thats not the reason.To me, it boils down to two things.
 One, no child should be punished for what their parents did. Someone who's spent their whole life (or most of it) here shouldn't have to be deported to a country and culture they don't even remember.
Two, these kids were raised in our schools, with our culture and our values and by joining up or getting an education are going to be useful citizens. Honestly, what better immigrants could you ask for?
FQ13
PS As to the parents? Screw them, they can get in line like everyone else. Family reunification should not be the overriding factor in immigration. If they speak English, have a skill and ties to the community, give them a break, otherwise, sorry.

[jaybet]

Good point FQ...these kids maybe know nothing BUT the USA and they don't deserve to be screwed because of their parents...on the other hand decisions MY parents made affected my life greatly. Also, will this extend to all youngsters, even if they JUST came across the border?

I still maintain that there IS a pathway to citizenship....take it or you're a criminal.

This is like anything else too...first they'll pass this, then it's pregnant women, then it's famillies, pretty soon everyone gets citizenship except the stupid schmucks that get a visa and apply.

Maybe I could get a pathway to prosperity if I were allowed to shoplift only food essentials like milk, bread,, etc. Next I'd want to be able to shoplift motor oil and beer. Pretty soon the stores go out of business. "But....I just want to break the law  A LITTLE BIT"

There's got to be a line somewhere, and right now the BORDER is the line. Politicians are sucking up to the Latino community right and left, and they will sell this country down the river for a few votes.

[Hazcat]

You realize this goes all the way to people that are 35 years old and they can have two 'misdemeanor' convictions (like domestic violence).

Also if the kid is illegal how about the parents?  Nope not the kids fault but it ain't my fault either.  SEND THEM ALL BACK.  

[cookie62]

Illegal immigration IS illegal........They have already broken the Law. I know, they say there parents broke the law not them. Then go back and apply for a visa.

[Sponsor]

[Solus]

I can agree that a kid who was bought to the US by illegal alien parents at an early age may not be considered a criminal....just like a kid who was taken along in the car when his parents rob a gas station won't be considered a criminal.  Also, if the kid lives in the country as a good citizen it doesn't matter a whole lot if they are 35 years old....

But here is where it gets tricky.  Once they become a citizen, their family has a quicker path to becoming citizens, with which I don't agree in this case.

If someone goes through the legal process and becomes a citizen, then I'd say if the law gave some preference to their family for immigration, that is ok...but not if they are already here as illegals.

So, to apply for this Dream Act, the "kids" have to "out" their parents and cause them to be deported.

Somehow, I don't think that is gonna happen.

Also, I have a problem with illegal aliens entering our military and our colleges in the first place.

And, for sure, I don't want to give someone the option of going to college or joining up instead of being deported.

The Dream Act qualification should not exist, but I know it does, so if they are willing to become citizens without any relief for their illegal parents, that could be considered an option.

[JC5123]

I'm with the overwhelming majority on this one. Sure the kid didn't have a choice and his parents made the decision for them, but Haz is right, it's not their fault, but it's not mine either.

Illegal is illegal no matter how you slice it. Don't charge the kid, but send him back.

[crusader rabbit]

It's part of the "fruit of the poison tree" theory.  How does one establish legality from an act that was begun as illegal?  If I rob a bank, then give the money to Sisters of Mercy to feed orphans, does that make the robbery okay?  I don't think so.  Should my neighbors then have to repay the bank I robbed because the money went to a good cause?  I don't think so.

We have here illegals wrongfully obtaining goods and services, then having children who are stealing additional goods and services from all of us, and now we neighbors are asked to pay the bill for all their illegal actions.   

Sorry, none of this makes any sense to me.  The only acceptable way to make this right (IMHO) is send 'em all back to where they came from.  If they can then re-pay the American taxpayers for all they've taken, give 'em a line placement priority and let'em wait with those who are doing the legal/right thing from the get-go.

But, all this should be secondary to SECURING THE BORDER.  Shoot a few of 'em as they come across.  Announce that as our official policy.  That will stop the flow immediately.

Crap.

[r_w]

It's part of the "fruit of the poison tree" theory.  How does one establish legality from an act that was begun as illegal?  If I rob a bank, then give the money to Sisters of Mercy to feed orphans, does that make the robbery okay?  I don't think so.  Should my neighbors then have to repay the bank I robbed because the money went to a good cause?  I don't think so.

We have here illegals wrongfully obtaining goods and services, then having children who are stealing additional goods and services from all of us, and now we neighbors are asked to pay the bill for all their illegal actions.   

Sorry, none of this makes any sense to me.  The only acceptable way to make this right (IMHO) is send 'em all back to where they came from.  If they can then re-pay the American taxpayers for all they've taken, give 'em a line placement priority and let'em wait with those who are doing the legal/right thing from the get-go.

But, all this should be secondary to SECURING THE BORDER.  Shoot a few of 'em as they come across.  Announce that as our official policy.  That will stop the flow immediately.

Crap.

well said.

[fightingquaker13]

Lets look at your analogy a little closer Crusader, because its very much on point, and in the news here in Florida. Exchange the bank robber for Bernie Madoff. His victims (people who have lost a large percentage of their wealth, most of them seniors) are now being served with notices to pay by the courts. The same thing is happening to charities and schools who invested with him. The rationale is that they got some proceeds and those further down the pyramid scheme got nadda, and so all the money goes in one pot and gets doled out. If you have to sell the house or close the orphange, even if you did nothing wrong and invested in good faith, too bad. You lose. We're sorry your 401K is now a 101k, but here's the bill, and declaring bankruptcy won't help you since its a legal judgement.
To me, this is more analogous to the kids effected by the Dream Act than your bank robber scenario. They didn't volunteer to come here. They just did what their parents told them to do, no different than we would have done. Now, they've lived in this country, known no other, and we ship them home? Their parents yes. The kids? I say we give them a choice. Earn citizenship through service and stay, or refuse and leave. I am no one's idea of a bleeding heart on the border (and have zero problem with militarizing it), but this seems like the moral (and smart) thing to do.
FQ13