Obama Attempts to Revive Dream Act
Consider President Barack Obama’s indirect but pointed request to Republicans and Democrats to approve the Dream Act the first salvo in the battle for the Hispanic vote in the 2012 presidential election.
The Americano
Consider President Barack Obama’s indirect but pointed request to Republicans and Democrats to approve the Dream Act the first salvo in the battle for the Hispanic vote in the 2012 presidential election.
According to The Hill, the DREAM Act offers a pathway to permanent residency — and eventually citizenship — for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children if they meet certain requirements. They must have been in the country for at least five years; have earned a high school diploma, or its equivalent; and enter an institution of higher education or the military.
That proposal passed the House in December but didn’t survive in the Senate last year, when Democrats held seven more seats than they have now. President Obama knows it is not likely to be approved. Yet, in his speech Tuesday night he said it deserves another look.
“Today, there are hundreds of thousands of students excelling in our schools who are not American citizens,” the president said in his annual address to Congress. “Some are the children of undocumented workers, who had nothing to do with the actions of their parents. They grew up as Americans and pledge allegiance to our flag, and yet live every day with the threat of deportation.
Supporters, including many Democrats, say the bill would empower motivated young people to develop the best of their skills for the betterment of the entire country. Opponents maintain the bill rewards people who broke the law when they entered the country. Analysts said its inclusion in the speech was purely political.
Even though Obama dedicated only two paragraphs in a 7,500 word speech that lasted 62 minutes, at this point it is a divisive issue even if it was first introduced when George W. Bush was president and had his support.
According to The Hill those past failures – under Bush and then last December – didn’t seem to deter Obama.
“I strongly believe that we should take on, once and for all, the issue of illegal immigration,” he said. “I am prepared to work with Republicans and Democrats to protect our borders, enforce our laws and address the millions of undocumented workers who are now living in the shadows.
“I know that debate will be difficult and take time,” he added. “But tonight, let’s agree to make that effort.”
The Americano/Agencies
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