End of the American Dream?

To those of you who thought amnesty was a dead issue think again. It is back, it is called the Dream Act.

What it is supposed to do is address the situation faced by young people who were brought to the U.S. years ago as undocumented immigrant children but who have since grown up here, stayed in school, and kept out of trouble.

A student must have been brought to the U.S. more than 5 years ago when he or she was 15 years old or younger and must be able to demonstrate good moral character. Under the DREAM Act, once such a student graduates from high school, he or she would be permitted to apply for conditional status, which would authorize up to 6 years of legal residence. During the 6-year period, the student would be required to graduate from a 2-year college, complete at least 2 years towards a 4-year degree, or serve in the U.S. military for at least 2 years. Permanent residence would be granted at the end of the 6-year period if the student has met these requirements and has continued to maintain good moral character.

The DREAM Act is buried into the Defense Authorization Act, separate from the immigration bill and away from the broader debate over immigration.

None other than the National Council of La Raza, a radical group that is directly opposed to our national interests, is pushing this act down our throats. Their goal is to open our borders and advocate special treatment for illegal immigrants along with the obliteration of the Border Patrol.

La Raza advocates the elimination of the U.S.-Mexico border, and actively supports legislation that would grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants currently residing within the United States.

I have stated that the amnesty bill is not over and will return after the presidential elections. While the amnesty bill itself is on temporary hold, it is being introduced in bits and pieces attached to other bills.

The DREAM Act, previously S.774, has been introduced as an amendment to H.R. 1585, National Defense Authorization Act (Defense Authorization Bill) as SA 2237, Title XXXIII (National Defense Stockpile), Sec. 3301 (Authorized Uses Of National Defense Stockpile Funds).

It will take 41 NO votes to kill this amnesty. On Wednesday, September 19, the floor vote on the amendment containing the DREAM Act amnesty (SA 2237) may occur. There has not been a large commitment by our Senators to kill this bill.

What’s wrong with this bill is that t here is no upper age limit with no burden of proof placed on the applicant. An illegal immigrant 5o years old can walk into the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office and provide a sworn statement that he has been in the United States before he or she was here before they were 16.

If passed it would grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens and dramatically increase the importation of foreign workers at a time 10 million Americans are looking for jobs and cannot find employment. This would open the door for every illegal alien to falsely claim amnesty.

Only 18 Senators have committed to voting no, has yours?

Joe Sinagra
NJ 18th District
Assembly Candidate