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March 7, 2011
Jocelyn Sanchez, Oakland Unity High
When the House of Representatives tried to pass the Dream Act, it raised the hopes of ambitious students waiting for its approval. But when the Senate killed the Dream Act, just before Christmas, it was a harsh wake-up call.
This was the last chance for supporters of the Dream Act to try to get it passed by a Democratically-controlled Congress. Even with Democrats in power, it was not surprising that the Dream Act didn’t pass; there had been so many failed attempts that just about everyone could see it coming.
Unfortunately, now that Congress is controlled by the Republicans, undocumented students will have to wait.
I do not think that opponents of the Dream Act realize all the talent that is being wasted by our country’s unjust immigration laws. For instance, there are many academically-gifted students who work diligently throughout their college years, graduate, and are then forced to work at a job they could have had without even attending high school.
It is ironic that undocumented students often have a greater interest in school that those who are legal residents. An even greater irony is that non-English speakers born in territories such as Puerto Rico get citizenship automatically, but assimilated, English-speaking students who have family ties in the United States cannot.
These students are likely to make a positive impact in this country. Why not grant citizenship to undocumented students as well as those from U.S. territories? Such a move would be for the greater good of the country.
Now that the Dream Act has died, what will families do? Undocumented families will continue to cope by taking the low-paying jobs that U.S. citizens won’t.
If the Dream Act were to pass, this never-ending cycle of poverty and suffering could end. People who seek only equal treatment could receive it.
At my school, the staff tries to help undocumented students. We’ve had many assemblies designed to give students advice and guidance for their future.
As a citizen, I plan to support my fellow students seeking a brighter future in this country.
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