I have had many discussions with different people regarding the issue of the DREAM Act and the provision that talks about military service if you did not make it to college.
Now, i know that even some DREAM advocates that i know and are my friends will disagree with me on this issue, but i completely disagree with this provision and believe that if it was my only option to join the military in order to be eligible for the DREAM Act- I would choose another option like going to Europe or something else besides joining the ranks.
This is the double edge sword that few people talked about during the last attempted passage of the DREAM. I am not agreeing fully with La Raza Educators, but i am simply asking you to think if this wasn't a whole planned game? Some people say that we, DREAM kids should be proud to serve this war because we have been given an education. I also know some DREAM kids that would be proud to go about this avenue. I say that nothing is free, nothing has been free. More importantly still, i would refuse to be part of a war that is so empty of reasons.
I would refuse to be part of something so dirty... giving someone their papers in exchange for blood.
I dont know what the next version of the DREAM Act will look like if there is to be another one, but i do urge you to really think about this and realize the high number of DREAMERs that would choose the military rather than a college education.
Should we give citizenship to those who serve?
by Indra Ekmanis
published on Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Instead of risking deportations to their home countries, many illegal immigrants may instead opt for deployment to Iraq if a proposed federal legislation is passed.
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM, Act — variations of which have been introduced but not yet passed in Congress several times — would allow illegal immigrant students to regulate their status and gain citizenship or legal residence through participation in higher education or enlistment in the military.
In order to be eligible for the DREAM Act, immigrants must meet requirements including high school graduation and possession of "good moral character." They must also have entered the U.S. before age 16.
The act was re-introduced last year, but no major action has yet been taken, according to the Library of Congress' Web site. Further action on the act may be postponed until 2009.
Manuel Hernandez, associate professor of Spanish and Chicano literature, said the DREAM Act is about giving illegal immigrant students "a fair deal."....(More)
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