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The Spectacle Blog
Earlier this week, I had a column on the main site detailing how the superficially reasonable-sounding DREAM Act is in fact closer to a mass immigration amnesty and is highly open to fraud. For a while, the bill’s supporters responded to such criticism by denying the massive loopholes in DREAM even existed. Yesterday, unable to pass DREAM in its earlier form, Democrats have switched tactics and are now trying to close the loopholes. Politico reports:
Senate Democrats have introduced their fifth version of the DREAM Act this year in a bid to tackle concerns from critics and win support from a handful of moderate lawmakers from both parties….
The latest version, filed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) late Tuesday night, would bar illegal immigrants from receiving in-state college tuition; drops the age of eligibility to 29 from 34; would not grant permanent legal status to anyone for at least 10 years; would restrict eligibility for those who commit certain misdemeanor crimes; and would limit individuals from being able to sponsor family members for U.S. citizenship, among other changes.
Those who receive conditional legal status under the DREAM Act also would be ineligible for Medicaid, food stamps and other government-funded benefits.
David Frum proposes some additional tweaks that could turn DREAM into what it claims to be — a small legalization targeting deserving young people who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own and only know this country — rather than a down payment on a broader amnesty. Given the Republicans’ commitment to filibuster until the tax cuts are extended, DREAM is unlikely to pass in any form. But any compromise conservatives consider ought to come in the context of a real, no-amnesty approach to reduce the existing illegal immigrant population to a manageable level.
CalMark| 12.2.10 @ 2:49PM
No Amnesty, in ANY form.
No DREAM, in any form.
This is the camel's nose in the tent. No doubt Dingy Harry has spoken to his pet judges, who have assured him that they will find penumbras to reinstate the stuff that Reid & Co. are scrapping.
As for what David Frum says--who cares?
UC Student| 12.2.10 @ 5:41PM
You know what. I bet undocumented students have better future than you had. They go to top universities even if it's extra hard for them to go. It's all the conservative red neck racists who's fcking jealous about undocumented students taking over spots. It's because of you guys are so stupid that they take over. They're not outsiders. think about it. you fcking racists
Allison| 12.2.10 @ 6:16PM
I don't care what color they are, if they didn't pay they don't get to play! It isn't the responsibility of America to finance the world! Right now we are the frogs in the waterpot and our own government is turning up the heat! You are fcking Utopian.
Mark in LA| 12.2.10 @ 6:21PM
You know what. I bet undocumented students have better future than you had.
You are supposedly a student at a UC who doesn't have even an 8th grade mastery of English. As a graduate of a UCLA, I am ashamed for my alma mater. I am guessing you are one of these illegal alien "scholars" we hear so much about.
carol| 12.2.10 @ 2:51PM
around, and around we go
the only thing to dream about is a closed border.
we have to vet candidates so we can get rid of the dirt in the house and senate
Pete| 12.2.10 @ 3:00PM
"win support from a handful of moderate lawmakers" - so what makes a moderate lawmaker is one that will sign on to this crippling legislation? Anyone who doesn't agree with full progressive BS is an extremist, then? WTF?
NoDreamAct| 12.2.10 @ 3:25PM
I agree with No Dream Act in any form.
The really scary part is that there is a clause stating the Secretary of Homeland Security can intervene. I interpret this to mean "do whatever she wants" regarding amnesty. In other words, it is legislation enabling Obama to do amnesty by executive order, which is what the pro-amnesty activists want.
I don't trust them. They make these crazy laws and 15 years later when states are bankrupt, the feds refuse to take the blame or they increase our taxes.
Stop all amnesties and foreigners will get the hint and many illegals here will leave voluntarily.
UC Student.| 12.2.10 @ 5:39PM
you don't know. look it up and say shit. dumbass
Allison| 12.2.10 @ 6:27PM
If you can't even compose a sentence properly why do you think you come off as an intellegent person?
UC Student's English Professor| 12.2.10 @ 5:55PM
Hey, Jorge, I told you to stay off the web until you turn in your 2nd revision of your paper! I don't know how you got into this esteemed university, much less my class, with your atrocious grammar. Maybe it was the DREAM act or the color of your skin that got you accepted, but this kind of writing WILL NOT FLY in my class.
Now, get back to work before I flunk you out of here.
Allison| 12.2.10 @ 6:23PM
Agreed!
julian saintz| 12.2.10 @ 3:26PM
it's time to do the right thing. Stop playing politics and do what is correct. Do not be a judge be a part of an american dream. This kids have more brains that many of you together. Let the DREAM be alive.
Mark in LA| 12.2.10 @ 5:07PM
Yes all these kids from Mexico where the average IQ is 85 versus 98 for the US coming to the US to make us better. This massive "brain drain" from Mexico which the Mexican elites seem to be so happy to encourage. Don't they know they are losing their "best and brightest".
CalMark| 12.2.10 @ 5:10PM
The bigot (we're all stupid here because we disagree with him) calling the rest of us bigots.
"Do not be a judge be part of an american dream." Typical leftie emotional crap.
Francis| 12.2.10 @ 3:27PM
The Migration Policy Institute estimates that 2.1 million illegal aliens could be immediately eligible for legalization should the DREAM Act pass into law.
Not one of these bills has been reviewed by the Judiciary Committee, nor have Senators been provided with a (CBO) Congressional Budget Office score. Senator Jeff Sessions has stated this is a cunning game that makes it not viable for members of this body, and their constituents, to properly evaluate and consider the legislation prior to a vote. It is an abuse of the process and on that basis alone members ought to oppose cloture. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) also contacted the Congressional Budget Office today regarding (CBO) score of either the House version of the DREAM Act (H.R.1751) or the most recent Senate version (S.3992). Sen. Vitter's request is similar to one made last night by Ranking Member of the House Immigration Subcommittee Steve King (R-Iowa) says just the DREAM Act could cost as much as $20 billion dollars.
On Dec. 2, 2010 Sen. Jeff Sessions addressed a letter to his Senate colleagues urging them to oppose the DREAM Act.
Sen. Sessions also discussed the weaknesses of the DREAM Act by highlighting:
• the ability for individuals who qualify for the DREAM Act to sponsor their family members for (LPR) Lawful Permanent Resident or Legal Permanent Resident status once they (students) themselves have received LPR status; Years of chain migration has become a costly experiment for US taxpayers, as afterwards the sponsors have neglected their financial responsibilities and their charges have had to rely on support of welfare programs.
• individuals with criminal histories can qualify for the DREAM Act amnesty, and the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to waive eligibility requirements;
• DREAM Act applicants receive an immediate stay of removal proceedings, creating a safe harbor for illegal aliens facing deportation; and
• DREAM Act applicants don't need to complete college or fulfill their military service in order to receive LPR status.
• Call your Three Members of Congress through the Capitol Hill switchboard: 202-224-3121to stops this immigration travesty. Liberal-Democrats do not want the Dream Act to be reviewed
JP| 12.2.10 @ 3:41PM
No further immigration legislation until the southern borders are secured. Period.
DREAMAct| 12.2.10 @ 4:09PM
I'm surprised by how stubborn most people are on this site. They only yell, "NO AMNESTY, NO DREAM!!!" Really? First you should be asking questions and not believing all that you read online instead of feeling such hatred for frankly a subject you barely understand. Go read the new version of the DREAM Act and you will see that it is very targeted to young people, who are NOT criminals, and have achieved high marks in this country.
Not only that, it would take 13 years to get citizenship, would receive NO federal help of any kind (health care, food stamps, medicare, etc....) pay out-of-state tuition, and pay all of the paperwork to become a citizen.
How can we say no to that? We would be the only country in the world where we deport individuals who want to serve in our military and who will contribute upwards of 3.6 trillion dollars to the economy.
Please read the new version before you post misleading information and outwardly racist comments.
CalMark| 12.2.10 @ 5:11PM
What you say is nonsense.
Some judge would be found to overturn all of the restrictions in the name of "fairness."
Allison| 12.2.10 @ 6:41PM
Easy. American students trump foreign students. It has nothing to do with race, it has everything to do with nationality.
GGM in TX| 12.4.10 @ 11:44PM
I have read the new versions of the bills. It does correct some issues, and yet still limits oversight. It does not require more than acceptance to an institution of higher education OR a high school diploma or GED to apply. It also has no requirement for US school transcripts where I would expect at least 6 years. I'm sorry but someone who came to the US at age 16 and is now 21 spent MORE time in their country of birth, not the majority of their life in the US. In fact probably 40-50% of all illegal immigrants come to the US on their own around the age of 16. My opinion is either represent the legislation honestly or expect there to be opposition.
MarkJ| 12.2.10 @ 4:38PM
"Senate Democrats have introduced their fifth version of the DREAM Act this year...."
Jesus, Joseph, Mary, and All The Blessed Saints, if this Democrat idiocy were a movie it'd be named "Plan 5 from Outer Space".
Mark in LA| 12.2.10 @ 5:20PM
The mere fact that the Democrats have to keep modifying this shows that even THEY know this bill is a POS. They know the American people don't want this. Their better play was to ignore it. They have exposed themselves likely for nothing and the tide is on the side of immigration restrictionists.
amber| 12.4.10 @ 9:30PM
would restrict eligibility for those who commit certain misdemeanor crimes
What crimes can you commit under version 5 ,S3392
GGM in TX| 12.4.10 @ 11:33PM
Every time I read an article about the DREAM Act, I find almost universally that the commentary is opposed to this bill. There isn't much point expressing yourselves in comment sections unless you are also emailing your Senators and Congressman. You can be sure that the supporters of this Act are. I was a supporter until I read it. Every revision of this bill has a strategically placed "or" where there should be an "and" which turns it into a much broader program than its supporters say it is. I find these blatant efforts to lie to people to be significantly offensive. As a result, I have written my representatives to convey my opposition to these bills.