“I want everyone within the sound of my voice to understand how much I appreciate, and thousands and thousands of others, Senator Durbin’s advocacy on this issue. But I also want everyone within the sound of my own voice to know that we’re going to vote on the DREAM Act, it’s only a question of when. That’s all this is about, basic fairness. But this isn’t the end of this. We’re going to continue to move on.”
-Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV)
These words spoken by Senator Reid shortly after the senate voted 56 to 43 against proceeding to the Defense Authorization Act. This means that the DREAM Act, an immigration bill that would provide legal status to people who graduate from high school and pursue college or enlist in the military, will not be considered by the senate as an amendment to the bill.
The passage to citizenship for thousands of hopeful and promising undocumented youth is now pushed farther away.
Leading up to the vote, accusations and statements from both sides of the senate had been rampant; Senator John McCain (R-AZ) called the DREAM Act Reid’s “effort to get re-elected” and stated that the DREAM was “totally unrelated to national defense”, while Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) advised Republicans to “stop hiding in the shadows.”
All the vacuous and tired arguments miss the point; deserving kids must have a chance at the American dream. Their participation in American society would benefit America greatly, as David Leopold writes: “The Dream Act targets for future citizenship exactly the kind of people America should be embracing: young soldiers, scholars, strivers, future leaders.”
These young people need to be encouraged in their aspirations and not restricted; their potential must be realized and not unmet. Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, states:
“Ultimately, those in opposition voted not in favor of process, but against young immigrants who have shown more leadership than some of our elected officials. As a result, the dreams of the young men and women who have been waiting to fulfill their highest potential and contribute to America will continue to be on hold, and our country will suffer.”
America must look forward and turn its back on the restrictionist zeal that plagues its lands. What kind of America do you envision in the future? An America still wading through the swamps of ignorance and xenophobia? Or an America planted on the ground of diversity and acceptance? The DREAM Act is a bold step toward dry land.
Sources: ImmigrationProf Blog, AILA Leadership Blog, Immigration Impact, NBC Chicago.
