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The Spectacle Blog
In the run-up to the defense authorization vote, there was a lot of discussion of don’t ask, don’t tell but not quite as much debate of the DREAM Act. Like the broader “comprehensive immigration reform” legislation that preceded it, the DREAM Act sounds pretty reasonable in theory until you look at the details and find that is a larger amnesty.
The bill goes beyond offering a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who have served in the military or are high school valedictorians. The academic requirements are minimal. The illegal immigrant could have arrived as late as age 15. They don’t have to be high school or college students to qualify — the Senate bill offers eligibility up to age 35 and the House version has no age limit. It contains no meaningful enforcement mechanisms and is open to fraud. And finally, people amnestied under the DREAM Act would able to faciliate the chain migration of millions of their relatives.
If we were really talking about a very narrowly tailored amnesty for people who came here as toddlers, have no roots in their home country and don’t even speak the native language, and have been exemplary students or soliders, even many moderate restrictionists would have no objection. But the DREAM Act doesn’t stop there. Of course, that won’t stop supporters from trying to ram a mini-amnesty through one way or another.
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More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2010/09/21/dreaming-of-amnesty
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Oldefarte| 9.21.10 @ 4:04PM
Somebody should transport/abondon a group of Democrat congressmen with thousands of dollars protruding from their pockets inside a Mexican town crawling with gang drug and see if their attitude toward amnesty changes from same!!!!
Warrior | 9.21.10 @ 4:52PM
Mr. Antle: How would a person who entered the country illegally at a young age be eligible to serve in the military? Since the military has strict citizenship and/or alien requirements an illegal, regardless of whatever age they entered the country, would not be eligible to serve. If the illegal gave a forged document for qualification, then that would constitute a fraudulent enlistment. Maybe the requirements have changed since the 90's in ways that I am not aware of.
The problem with what you propose is that once the door is opened just slightly, the liberals (Democrat or Republican) will push until the door is eliminated totally.
W. James Antle III | 9.21.10 @ 6:01PM
Under the DREAM Act, the illegal immigrants aren't already in the military when they apply for amnesty. They have the option of committing to two years of military service as a condition for legalization.
Warrior | 9.21.10 @ 9:38PM
Thank you for the clarification.
About the DREAM Act | 9.21.10 @ 5:01PM
Antle doesn't realize that the DA has one huge issue that trumps all others: it would let the current illegal aliens covered by it take college educations away from U.S. citizens.
Make that point to people and 90%+ of them will be opposed to the Act and many of those will start looking askance at its supporters.
Unfortunately, few others are making that point, and some have been quite weak on the DA.
For instance, Angle initially only opposed it on procedural grounds, then she came out against it because it's an amnesty. However, if she'd immediately made the point above with a completely-factual video, she could have cost Reid 10 points.
And, the teaparty "patriots" haven't exactly set the world on fire with their opposition to the DA either.
Sheila| 9.21.10 @ 7:48PM
It doesn't matter whether or not said illegal came here as a toddler, has ties to his home country, or speaks the language. It doesn't matter whether said illegal is an "exemplary student." Allowing such individuals amnesty is legitimizing their parents' lawbreaking and rewarding their gaming of the system. It "sells" American citizenship for the in-state price of an education, subsidized by the American taxpayer and at the cost of a spot now denied to an American citizen. I would like to see our current program, granting foreign aliens citizenship after a mere year in the military (and not necessarily in a combat MOS) scrapped as well. Instead of holding our citizenship dearly, we give it away for free. Proximity + diversity = war.
David W| 9.21.10 @ 9:21PM
It would probably be better to do this "DREAMing" on a case by case basis. As with any law created by Government there are unintended consequences. They may be minor, they may be major, they may also be a catastrophe (Obamacare anyone?). Remember that the road to heck is paved with good intentions.
Jose| 9.22.10 @ 7:13AM
An Idea For A Real “American Dream Act” Bill & Counter Attack
First bring back our soldiers from this Afghanistan war that is costly and going nowhere. Middle Eastern and Asians love to see us waste money and go broke fighting for freedom when they don’t really want it. This is their main weapon and we keep falling into their trap. Then we need to regroup military troops and military force to invade/overthrow Mexico’s government turning it into a U.S territory.
The new land will be used as an industrial/business commerce zone. U.S citizens will be able to by property and have a dual citizenship between U.S and Mexico. Mexico will keep its current currency and there current government will be demoted to local municipal law enforcement as long as they surrender to the U.S.
The U.S will be in full control of all laws, local law enforcement, and military control. The path to dual citizenship will require the illegal immigrants living in the U.S to serve in the U.S military for teen years… Along with completing the invasion/overthrow of Mexican government to expand U.S lands, business, and revive our economy. For Mexico citizen requesting to come to the U.S temporary worker programs and legal paths to citizenship & residence will be granted to those who qualify.
Pass It On!!!