This article was published in the May/June 2013 issue of Cobblestone magazine. As of 2019, Congress still has not passed the DREAM Act.
1. On a typical day, about 21,000 U. S. border control agents process nearly 100,000 people.
They monitor 7,000 miles of land and 2,000 miles of coastal waters at 329 ports of entry.
Border control agents work to keep the borders safe while also overseeing lawful
international trade and travel.
2. They also prevent about 1,000 people from entering the country illegally every day. Yet
some people still get through, and those numbers are adding up. Nearly 11 million
immigrants in America [as of 2013] have come here illegally. That means they are living in
the United States without the proper documentation and inspection. As illegal or
undocumented people, they risk deportation if they are caught. Deportation is an order to
leave the United States and return to one’s country of origin. . . .
3. In June 2012, President Barack Obama rallied for immigration reform and supported a
proposal that would help young people who were brought to America illegally by their
parents. To qualify, a person has to have been in the country for at least five consecutive
years and be willing to go to college or serve in the military. Illegal immigrants who arrived
when they were older than 16 and criminals do not qualify. Nearly 2 million people under
the age of 31 could qualify under this act and realize their dreams of studying, working,
and staying in America. If all goes well, each might reach the hope of one day becoming a
U. S. citizen.
4. This idea, called the DREAM Act, has been floating around Congress for more than 10
years without any resolution. There are many viewpoints to consider.
5. Imagine you’re in a room of spokespeople for and against the DREAM Act. Each speaker
comes to the front of the room to state his or her opinion. Listen carefully.
Pro: For the DREAM Act
6. Douglas, from Guatemala: I came to this country when I was 13 with my parents. They
came to find better opportunities. With this act, I can get a better-paying job and attend
college. I won’t have to worry about deportation. I’ll truly feel like an American.
7. Brenda, from Mexico: We came here when I was five. My parents had no way to support
our family in Mexico. There were no jobs. I have no memories of Mexico. I want to go to
college, maybe even become a nurse. But without documents, I cannot get financial aid to
help me pay for my education.
8. Hugo, from Argentina: I hate waking up each morning thinking it could be my last day in
America. I feel like I am an American, but the government sees me as an “alien.” I speak
only English and I’ve never broken any laws!
9. Cinthia, from Haiti: I was an honor roll student in high school and I dream about
becoming a doctor. I can use the money I earn from a steady job to help pay for college.
I’m willing to work hard for what I want. My parents taught me that.
10. Jose, prize-winning journalist, from the Philippines: In order to stay in this country, I
had to forge more documents than I can count. I used a friend’s address to get a driver’s
license. I never know if or when I will get caught.
11. Presidential candidate: The young people we are trying to help consider the United
States their home. They view themselves as Americans. We need to find a way to address
this issue on a national level.
12. Newspaper columnist: These immigrants are badly needed for our economy and our
military service. And, if we force them back to the countries they came from, we are simply
telling them we don’t care. Is that the message we want the world to hear?
Con: Against the DREAM Act
13. Border official: Like any other immigrants, these people should have to pass a standard
U. S. citizenship examination.
14. Enforcement agent: I would normally take an illegal immigrant into custody for a violation
such as driving without a license. Now I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.
15. Congressman: The act breaks a promise to the American people. Nearly 2 million
people, who arrived here without any documentation, can take spaces in colleges and jobs
away from U. S. citizens.
16. Presidential candidate: What we really need is a high-technology border fence so we
don’t have illegal immigrants in the first place.
17. Capitol Hill correspondent: Passage of this act will encourage even more illegal
immigration. We should close the borders now and enforce a more aggressive anti-
immigration policy.
18. Newspaper columnist: Fake IDs and driver’s licenses are a way to break into American
society. We open ourselves up to threats like increased terrorism if we don’t enforce strict
restrictions on illegal immigration.
19. Immigration attorney: I want to help families enter the United States, but they often have
to wait a long time before our quota system allows them in. Why should we reward those
Who enters illegally? That disrespects clients like mine who are following our laws.