Don't give up the 'dream' -- fix it

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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The DREAM Act had a noble objective. People brought into the United States illegally as children who go on to graduate from U.S. high schools would have a path to legal residency and then citizenship.

But the bill had too many flaws.

While the House passed the legislation and it had considerable bipartisan support, it fell five votes short in the Senate during the just-concluded lame-duck session.

It would be wrong to abandon the DREAM Act altogether. There's an injustice in denying children who grow up in this country and consider themselves Americans a way to become legal, educated and productive U.S. citizens. The situation also is another reason we need broad immigration reform in our country.

Minors who enter the U.S. illegally because their undocumented parents brought them here have no reasonable option to gain legal status. They could leave to apply for an immigration visa, but returning to their country of birth would not guarantee a legal way back. Attempts to return legally are often difficult, with obstacles such as a ban on re-entering for three to 10 years.

Versions of the DREAM Act have been floated in Congress for years. The one just shot down provided that people under age 30 who arrived here illegally before age 16, graduate from U.S. high schools, are of good moral character, and have been in the country illegally for at least five years before the bill's enactment could have a shot at earning conditional permanent residency. Several hundred thousand people could qualify, it's estimated. The conditions: complete at least two years in the military or two years of college toward a degree. If the conditions were met within a six-year period, they could apply for permanent legal status.

But if the DREAM Act is ever to become law, it must fix several inequities. Aside from the dispute over the generous age range, the most egregious are that it discriminates against children of legal immigrants and could encourage more illegal immigration:

l High school graduates brought to this country illegally before age 16 would have access to benefits such as in-state tuition, government student loans and a green card. Foreign-born students here legally would not.

l As for the military service option, illegal immigrants would have to serve one year less than legal immigrants.

l Those two inequities alone would almost certainly encourage more illegal immigration because, if it becomes law, this legislation likely would be extended to future young immigrants brought here illegally. Why bother to do it legally?

Congress has much work to do on reforming our inadequate federal immigration laws. The DREAM Act is just one part, but it's important. Youngsters who want to better themselves and become U.S. citizens also strengthen our country.