The DREAM Act and President Obama

First of all, I am a supporter of some kind of DREAM act legislation. We have, in this country, children who were brought here illegally yet were educated here and have known no other home but this. Some don't even know they are here illegally.  And, happily, most could be or are becoming productive members of society. These are young people with promising futures if given the opportunity. What is gained by discarding such young people and sending them back to their country of origin?

However, the timing of this is blatant pandering by the President in an election year which I find just as distasteful as his 11th hour "coming out" on gay marriage. He couldn't be more obvious if he wore a sign!  Additionally, he is essentially commanding this be so and is completely bypassing the Congressional process. This shows either a lack of knowledge in how our government functions or a complete disregard of it. This is a complex situation, it needs the attention and discussion of the entire Congress, not just the President waving his hand.

Any DREAM act will be complicated and will need very strictly adhered to criteria to be successful for everyone. This article is being written before President Obama makes his announcement today, but from what has been released so far, the guidelines will be:

[I]llegal immigrants will be immune from deportation if they were brought to the United States before they turned 16 and are younger than 30, have been in the country for at least five continuous years, have no criminal history, graduated from a U.S. high school or earned a GED, or served in the military. They also can apply for a work permit that will be good for two years with no limits on how many times it can be renewed. 

This is a good start to a more productive and compassionate resolution to a complex immigration problem. There is a lot I agree with here ... particularly no criminal history and military service.

There are, however, things I would change. Age 16 is too old. To allow any child under 16 into this program means we'll have scads of 15 year old illegals being sent over the border alone just so they can graduate from a U.S. high school. Not good. We'd end up with skyrocketing teen homelessness. I would be more supportive of age 10 or 12. Also, age 30 is too late. If someone is here illegally, has been here since they were 16 (or 10) they should have made some effort at acquiring legal documentation. That means they've been working and supporting themselves for 10-15 years, utilizing our school system and health care system and paying little (sales tax) into the system. Uh-uh. That's a deal breaker for me. Military service, however, cancels that out. Any who came here illegally and who is serving our country gets a break from me ... though it is troubling that non-citizens could be serving in our military. How is that possible? Illegal documentation? Also, voting rights should be withheld until full citizenship is acquired. 

Of course, the devil is in the details. Previously, one of the aspects of the DREAM act has been that such a "child"(for lack of a better word) could bring as many relatives with him/her as he wished. That's not going to wash. We can't have 50 illegals suddenly being legal simply because one relative went to an American high school.  If the child is a minor, they can be allowed minor siblings and their parents. If already married, allow their spouse and children. That's it. This isn't a get out of jail free card to lifetime U.S. benefits for all relatives.

One more thing to consider ..... we aren't just talking about Mexicans, here. Remember that, unless it is specified otherwise, this will also apply to those young people here illegally from Middle Eastern countries who may not be so friendly to us. That brings a dangerous kettle of fish into our midsts.

Ultimately, though, I have a substantial objection to how this is being accomplished. We've needed change in our immigration policy for decades, this is true. However, for President Obama to make a "policy change" without any Congressional approval is tantamount to dictatorship. It's, quite simply, not how our system of government works.  Additionally, in doing this during an election year and with so many states not requiring photo ID to vote, President Obama is inviting voter fraud. It's as distasteful as the circumstances surrounding him "coming out" on gay marriage.  Blatant pandering.