Too Good To Be True

In a recent quest to search for more information for my final blog posts, I came across a series of four online articles. Two of which opposed the DREAM Act and two who favored it. 

The first two articles that strongly oppose the issue were: “The Proposal” by Darin Smith, published in 2011 through the San Joaquin Delta College and “A DREAM Bill That’s More Like A Nightmare” published on November 25^th of 2010 by David Frum from TheWeek.com

In both articles Smith and Frum argue in their articles that the DREAM Act provides amnesty for illegal behavior, encourage future illegal immigration and make tuition unfair to everyone.  

In his article, (The Proposal) Smith begins describing the typical story of an undocumented child who wishes to pursue a higher education but cannot because of the high tuition rate undocumented youth are obliged to pay. He notes that the DREAM Act is and in a perfect world would be the solution for many in this situation, but later on begins to show his real stance on his issue. 

According to Smith, “people oppose to immigration views on subject with prejudice and ignorance” I agree with his quote. I do see that many who counter argue aren’t the most educated about the issue as the ones who usually favor it and those who aren’t facing and dealing with the situation often act with prejudice. He continues his article arguing that the DREAM Act does nothing but the following: 

“… by participating in an illegal act, an immigrant can obtain legal status”

“… more illegal immigration secures millions of green cards to the parents of the beneficiaries”

“… immigrants refuse to or are unwilling to obtain legal status”

“… provide unjust tuition favors, law-abiding foreigners and out-of-state students are denied.”

“… illegals receive tax-payer-funded tuition assistance”

            In David Frum’s article (A DREAM Bill That’s More Like A Nightmare), Frum begins his article also by presenting the compassionate story of many who children who came into the United States illegally and are relying on the DREAM Act to help them reach their dreams of obtaining legal status and quickly starts bashing Harry Reid’s legislation that would provide “amnesty” for illegal aliens saying that it has no chance of passage and starts listing the many reasons why that’s  good news for Americans. 

According to David Frum, the DREAM Act cannot and it’s not meant to pass, it’s not even “meant to come to vote” it’s a “ruse and a sham” “an appalling, deceptive piece of legislation with very sinister consequences”. Frum in a way implies to Americans that those too old to qualify or entered the border can simply get and will get a means of obtaining falsified papers to file an application under DREAM. Not only is he misinformed but the use of falsified papers to apply for the DREAM Act is unacceptable. In order to apply one needs contending proof they were registered in an American high school, have paid taxes and have constantly lived in the U.S for more than five consecutive years. Frum also goes on asking his audience a question “wont using false papers get me in trouble? Not a bit” Also wrongly informing readers. Of course the use of falsified papers will prevent and disqualify one from qualifying or be considered for the DREAM Act.

 Frum continues stating that DREAM can offer a parent amnesty too, right away and be able to “gain access to a lifetime of tax-payer funded disability payments” Again, a misinformed and falsely statement. DREAM Act beneficiaries won’t be able to qualify for government funded programs, also excluding direct family members. 

Lastly Frum states that if one is too young to attend a university, they need not to worry because they can apply as soon as they turn twelve years of age by only giving notice to DREAM that they are intending to either go to college or join the military in the future, offering them a safe harbor. Wrong again. One cannot apply for the DREAM Act before they have graduated from an American High School. Ideally the age would be of eighteen years, the age when a typical high school senior tends to graduate. 

Frum keeps his article’s momentum with falsely and misinformation that would be candy to any American who opposes the issue, as valid, credible and a cleverly yet magnificent easy way to understand and convince someone why the DREAM Act is not a good thing and therefore should be put in the trash and forgotten about. This was gold for me. 

At this point I see a clearer view of where Americans are getting convincingly wrong misinformation. Being more informed and educated about this issue throughout my research i know that Frum's article cannot be trusted entirely. I'm questioning their website. In my opinion they are very anti- on many of the issue they present not only the DREAM Act but other various. Now on Smith's blog type article, I can understand why he thinks that it will be unfair for those who are legally here but would still have to pay out-of-state tuition rates, while undocumented individuals get would "get away" with it. I do however have to disagree with his quote regarding that undocumented immigrants simply refuse to obtain legal status. The main reason why the DREAM Act exists is because of the same reason that many don't have the means to start an immigration process and therefore this would be the only way to obtain legal status. I have become more informed of why many people oppose this and will probably keep opposing this side and in many ways has made be become more tolerant and see their side of this issue.