DREAM Act rally to greet McDonnell
Members of a Valley-based group will greet Gov. Bob McDonnell on his way to his town-hall meeting at James Madison University in Harrisonburg on Thursday to voice their disapproval of the Republican’s stance on immigration.
“We believe that immigration is a federal issue, and that politicians such as Ken Cuccinelli and Gov. McDonnell should be pushing our Congress and president to fix our broken immigration system. The future of our country needs the DREAM Act so that people such as myself are able to become successful and lend to Virginia’s economy. Pass the DREAM Act now,” said Isabella Castillo, the leader of DREAM Activist Virginia, which is working to lobby members of the Virginia congressional delegation to support the federal DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation coauthored by Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch and Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin, would impact the estimated 65,000 children of undocumented workers who graduate from U.S. high schools annually by opening to them eligibility for a six-year-long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.
The political climate in Virginia relative to immigration has in recent weeks been hostile. Cuccinelli, Virginia’s attorney general, has issued an advisory opinion to the effect that he believes state law gives local and state police the power to ask for immigration documents when performing a lawful stop and suspicious of whether someone is illegal. And for his part McDonnell has appealed to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to authorize a program giving Virginia state troopers the authority of federal immigration agents.
“It has become clear that there is strong opposition to 287g both nationally and in Virginia. We want to make it clear to McDonnell that we do not support this legislation,” DREAM Activists member Nicole Budzius said.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
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The DREAM Act is a bad deal for taxpayers. Only 1/3 of those eligible could achieve citizenship due to lack of resources; education, language, family requirements (anchor babies); This means that 2/3 of them are free to roam the country for 6 more years with no restraint. How many more anchor babies will be born; How many more gang members solidified in their communities?
Look out for the dream act.
“Anchor babies”? Hate speech.
No to Dream Act? It’s the best legislation congress can pass. I’m a conservative but the democrats have it right on this one. I have a Russian friend who can tremendously benefit from this. She graduated top 10 in her class but cannot go to college because she can’t get loans! She doesn’t want scholarship or free money of any sort. She now works in a restaurant under the table. Don’t expect her to go anywhere…because..she isnt..this country is what she knows. She’ll soon get married and have US citizen children. So lets lay this out…if she cant go to college and get a good job and therefore pay taxes..she will work under the table and get free health care for her and the baby! Hmmm..arent we smart!!
It’s funny how our country works. We let these kids come here and the law allows them to grow up here and go to school just like any other American kid but when time comes to go to school or get a license we say sorry for investing in you all these years, you can now go back to a place you dont remember but belong. I do not believe in giving amnesty to their parents, but these kids are innocent. ICE is refusing to deport these students but not allowing them to live either, isnt that just a waste! They can be working and paying taxes, getting cars, help the economy recover faster…but our so called smart politicians just care about their elections.
You wanna stop illegal immigration? Stop smoking weed and grow your own gardens. But don’t blame these kids who want to contribute to this nation bought here at a young age by their parents. We have enough enemies, dont add on to the list. They dont entitlement, they just want a fair chance. No need to be so narrow minded and get your passport stamped to hell for it.
Susan, I’m sorry but anchor babies are the ones that already have the citizenship being born in america, and it has nothing to do with the dream act. If you have read the bill at least once, you wouldn’t put up a comment that is completely composed of lies.
The DREAM Act would be a great step toward much needed immigration reform. It is a sensible solution and needs to be enacted. Dreamers are only asking for an opportunity to give back to society. Why turn away people who are willing and capable to help our communities?
I agree with Aracely, the DREAM act is a good solution to part of the immigration problem. It is a sensible law that gives students who came to this country by no fault of their own the opportunity they want to be contributive citizens of American Society.
The DREAM act reduces volume (and costs) on our over burdened legal system, adds people to the US who want to be here, care about the US and support the US, and the DREAM act coincides with the principals this country was founded upon. I support it wholeheartedly and my family and extended family have been here for generations.
The DREAM Act will also help those children who are here legally on their parents E2 visas. Our son has been here since he was a few months old, he has been bought up in American schools. We have paid taxes for 20yrs own a business and employ Americans. However, when our son turns 21yrs he has to leave the US and return to a country he doesn’t know. The DREAM act would allow him to stay and complete his 4yr degree and remain with his family. Immigration law is so complicated, we have been able to remain legal, however our children are still rejected when they turn 21yrs
I am in favor of the Dream Act. This is a bill that would benefit millions of talented undocumented students by giving them the chance to get a higher education. Why try to stop them from doing so? This will not only benefit the students and their families but it will also benefit the country. In this, the Dream Act is the first step towards a more comprehensive immigration reform. Let’s not ignore the problem any longer.
I AM A DREAMer!!! I hope and pray this bill passes soon! People need to understand we dont want the governments money! We want to better ourselves and this country. I have been here since i was one. I know no other home, i LOVE this country. I cant wait till this bill passes so i can finish college and be a nurse and join the airforce.