Oregon Immigrant Rights Coalition Calls for Swift Passage of the DREAM Act

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cplum April 15, 2009 4:46 pm (Pacific time)

It is difficult to comprehend extending bonuses, in essence, to wanted criminals. Are you telling me an underprivileged kid from WA, CA, etc should have to pay more to come to an Oregon University than a known wanted criminal? Really? This cannot be realistic. A bunch of dems/libs chasing votes if you ask me, so sad.

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Red Black April 8, 2009 1:16 pm (Pacific time)

The Salem-News is professionally obligated to present the opposing view---that is the opinion of those who do not want to see the DREAM Act passed. And those opposed are many because (1) The amnesty applies to illegal-alien "kids" up to age 35; (2) aliens merely need to make a "claim" that they are qualified for the amnesty -- they don't have to provide any proof that the claims are true; (3) but the feds have to perform costly, time-consuming investigations to prove the claims are false in order to deny an amnesty to anybody; (4) the parents who broke the law to bring these "kids" here can get U.S. citizenship; (5) DREAM would remove the federal ban on in-state tuition for future illegal aliens. Certainly you must agree that the U.S. has more compelling problems than debating whether to give tuition subsidies to illegal immigrants. In the end, that only creates more immigration related costs to overburdened Americans.

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Carrick March 29, 2009 11:57 am (Pacific time)

Editor thanks for your heartfelt response, and as I posted below there are good arguements on both sides. What bothers me considerably is when we have the racist name calling that is done (not so much here) when people demand that our immigration laws get enforced. I mentioned the subsidized housing below going to illegal aliens while our veterans are homeless and waiting endlessly to get housing as an example of why laws must be enforced. I am also a veteran, and have much apprecaition for our combat disabled veterans. The good arguement for me is when it's pointed out that those here illegally actually get superior benefits than our own citizens, whether it's education or in something else, like housing, even in employment, for example via affirmative action, minority college grant monies. It's just not right when you have an illegal getting reduced tuition when a citizen from out of state does not. As you probably know, tuition pays a small fraction of the cost of a college education, the taxpayer picks up the lions share. I guess we'll see how the vote in congress goes, but no matter what many people will be upset. So does congress go by the voter mandate or not? We have a population growth that will soon exceed our resources, and the day will come that a rationing of resources will cause a new dilemma, something that may become uncontrollable.

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Jessica March 28, 2009 11:21 pm (Pacific time)

Dear Editor,
Thank you so much for this article, and the thoughtful responses you have posted to those whose hearts are filled with hate.
As a nation of immigrants, I wonder who of the Act's detractors can truly claim that they do not trace their origins back to immigrant descent.

Editor: Thanks Jessica, my ancestors are Spanish/Mexican on my dad's mom's side of the family and I grew up knowing a lot about the early history of California and how intertwined the countries and cultures are.  I do believe that we all have a long way to go and there are so many examples of extraordinary amounts of money being "lost" by even the last administration; let alone the hundreds of  billions diverted to Cheney's Haliburton; any of which would probably have been able to resolve problems in Mexico well enough to seriously slow the flow of people trying to get here.  It is an emotional and serious subject and I hope people listen to their hearts and try to imagine what they would do if fate had seen them born there, rather than here.  Best to you.

 

 

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Henry Ruark March 28, 2009 3:22 pm (Pacific time)

Ron M.:
Good LUCK, friend Ron...!!
That's about 20 years-worth even if Supremes allow some very questionable actions.
You may need first to repeal those lush permissive false corp. campaign contributions
providing non-action to make sure low-wage workers are kept in bondage for their donors.

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Carrick March 28, 2009 1:42 pm (Pacific time)

Editor are you suggesting that we ignore our immigration laws and throw open the borders? I realize that it is not the fault of the children whose parents bring them here illegally, so I see a profound unfairness about denying them in-state tuition. That's why I suggest this be voted on as a "states rights" issue. As far as what our spending is for our military, I guess we could bring them all back home, but that looks unlikely since Obama announced the other day of increasing our forces overseas. But the trillions of new debt he is creating makes our defense spending appear like a small trickle. Anyway it's a tough call about this tuition, good arguments on both sides. If the feds do pass the Dream Act, then what's next? I know some disabled veterans who are on a long waiting list for subsidized housing (you may know some also), and then we have illegals who are getting subsidized housing. I thought this would be illegal, but you may have read that Obama's aunt from Kenya is currently getting this type of housing while she waits for her final deportation hearing. This gets back to the arguement of limited resources. Our veterans are getting screwed and in due time we will have limited classroom space and our citizens will not get in because of non-citizens. Life is unfair, but we do have the means of minimizing that unfairness in this case. Maybe allow this tuition when all citizens have been enrolled and if there is space available then admit them. Does that sound like a decent compromise?

Editor: Carrick, first, just so you know, I am a veteran and I have taken the time to go to both Iraq and Afghanistan to cover our soldiers and Marines, and my stories reflect the positive individuals who wear the uniform for this country.  Our former news director is a disabled veteran and our medical writer fought in WWII.  We fiercly fight for the rights of veterans.  I'm just saying that this is a nation formed of immigrants, and I honestly don't think we can halt immigration that is illegal.  People will always find a way, and beefing up border security just means that they have to take much more dangerous routes to get here and they still get here.  In an ideal world I would side with you, but there are a lot of other considerations.  I lived in Yuma and worked at the NBC station for two years.  I went to Mexico frequently on stories and went out at night with the Border Patrol on operations for reports and I also did plenty of stories on NAFTA and US Customs in general.  Mexico needs our alliance and the horrible drug wars that are taking place there right now are taking a serious toll.  If my neighbor needs a hand getting their act together it is my job to help him.  The border is an unfortunate reality for people there who want a better life.  I can't find anger toward them for that and other people wouldn't swim in it the way they do if there wasn't so much hysteria and hype about it.  

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Carrick March 28, 2009 11:56 am (Pacific time)

Georgia Wicks the fact is the vast majority of Americans do not want illegal aliens here (not one nationally recognized poll indicates otherwise), much less receive any benefits that are reserved for our own citizens. We have limited resources, and providing for our own must receive top priority. Our nation through foreign aid and other programs (taxpayer and private) give generously around the world. Many Americans die helping others overseas. So by wanting to see our limited domestic resources reserved for our own citizenry is not only appropriate but essential. Not one American should have to stand in line behind a non-citizen for a citizenship benefit in my opinion. I also have not heard of any relevant migration out of America of skilled and highly educated people as you implied.

Editor: We have limited resources because we spend so much on wars and killing people... yes? SO then there's no money left to help people live? No offense, but if that's red white and blue then you are on some other planet.

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Saddened March 28, 2009 8:30 am (Pacific time)

The below article is quite unfortunate because it was made by a head of state: The president of Brazil. It appears that he may have many who will follow this opinion of his. "Brazilian President Says Credit Crisis Caused by 'White People With Blue Eyes' SKY NEWS ^ | March 27, 2009 | Brazil's President, while meeting with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Thursday, said the global financial crisis was caused by "white people with blue eyes." I am white and have green eyes. I wonder if I will be safe. I don't have anything to do with the financial market. Will this cause white people to be targeted? Think about it. This is the president of Brazil making this comment. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvamade made the comments after talks with Brown to try to forge a global consensus on how to save the worldwide economy. Please note that the head of Fannie May, Raines, was black, and he made over 90 million in six years. Though he returned a portion of that. Do suggest that wanting immigration laws enforced is racist is a canard, but what the president of Brazil said is racist and may cause some very violent behavior. Just look at those who threatened and marched around the homes of those who received bonuses back in New York.

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Vic March 28, 2009 7:48 am (Pacific time)

"If I had to rely on American labor to harvest my cherries and apples, theyd rot on the trees. Id cut them all down, sell the firewood and go on vacation while I sold the farm.Then everyone would be bitching because an apple would cost $3" Mr. E. (I dont have permission to use his name) apple and cherry grower from Mosier, Oregon.

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Georgia Wicks March 27, 2009 2:38 pm (Pacific time)

This is great news. It always seems that the anti-immigrant few that occupy the board never have any good solutions. This bipartisan bill offers a solution to helping those who were brought here as children and they have nothing good to say. All I can say is, "It figures". The fact is Americans want the immigration system fixed, not punishment for those that had no control over their destinies. It is time to have some humanity and do the right thing. Put down the hatred folks. These children of undocumented immigrants have been educated in the American School System. Letting them get into college is a good return on our investment. In this failing economy, we can't have any more educated people leave this country.

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Brian March 27, 2009 2:15 pm (Pacific time)

Patriot said: "Actually the undocumented Immigrants pay more taxes than you think, they pay Federal, State and Income tax and Social Security, since they have a ITN# which is given to them by the IRS. Lets get these 12 million people on the books, so they can start also buying Homes, Cars, Appliances Etc and assist in fixing this broken economy." ------------------------------ First, they're not "undocumented immigrants". Our laws and courts don't recognize that term. The correct term to use is illegal alien. Illegal aliens use up more of our taxpayer funded services than you think. I won't quote any facts and figures here because there have been many studies done that show that illegal aliens cost us more than they contribute. Anybody who is interested can do a little research on the Internet to access these studies. Instead of getting the millions of illegal aliens on the books, let's deport them instead and replace them with millions of legal immigrants. Then these legal immigrants will be the ones "buying Homes, Cars, Appliances Etc and assist in fixing this broken economy."

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Ronald March 27, 2009 2:04 pm (Pacific time)

Henry Ruark said: "Re amnesty, do you propose to depopulate U.S. by the huge number now here and in process of assimilation ? Can you tell us how that is to be done, with costs, plan, agency setup and all else demanded?" -------------------------------- Have every state pass anti-illegal immigration laws similar to those that states like Oklahoma and Arizona have already passed. Cut illegal aliens off from all jobs and taxpayer funded social services. Crack down very hard on employers who knowingly hire illegal aliens. Make using E-Verify mandatory for all employers when hiring any employee. If these ideas were all implemented, you would see many illegal aliens self-deport. Attrition, including deportation after arresting illegal aliens for committing a crime, would steadily reduce the number of illegal aliens in this country. At the same time, we need to secure our borders tighter than a drum.

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Vic March 27, 2009 1:59 pm (Pacific time)

It is amazing that you good Americans are so upset about maybe some kids getting free college when we are spending over a BILLION dollars a week on the war(s). I wonder how much college a billion dollars would pay for? I figured one week of war would pay for 50 thousand vocational school scholarships and 13 thousand four year college scholarships. This is ONE WEEK of war. Id say, get your damn priorities straight, unless you are just a racist looking for an excuse for being one. Because if it REALLY is the money that upsets you so, then you can see that you are, as the Bible put it..."straining at a gnat while you swallow a camel".

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AmericanMe March 27, 2009 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

It doesn't matter how much illegals pay in taxes or how long they have been here illegally. What part of ILLEGAL is so hard to understand? Besides, why are we educating them if they can't work legally after they graduate anyway? That is the reality and the way the law stands now. The only way to change that law is with an Act of Congress, and we all know that is never gonna happen (remember CIR 2007?). So it is useless to educate them at taxpayers' expense today. I know for a fact many of them have decided to return to their home countries because they see the writing on the wall. Attrition through enforcement works! Enforce our immigration laws!

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Debbie March 27, 2009 12:38 pm (Pacific time)

The Constitution was written for America and her citizens. There is an Amendment to provide citizenship for slaves, not illegal alien babies. No where in the Constitution does it tell American citizens we have to support in any way those who entered our country illegally. We have immigration laws that are apart from the Constitution. The immigration laws are in place for good reasons and should be enforced. So please, when you reference the Constitution, know what's in it at least before you comment. American values do not and should not reward anyone who breaks our laws and burdens America and he citizens.

Editor:  No offense Debbie, but I can feel the cold you generate from here.  Do you really have to specifically reference how you don't want to help "illegal alien babies"?  I mean, if the world worked according to your sterile suggestions, it wouldn't be worth living in.  I'm not saying that there is not a problem with people crossing the borders illegally, but this nation has a history of revolting against immigrants and the groups like the Chinese and Irish could tell you all about it.  In the end nobody is going to do anything effective to change the way things currently are.  i wonder, would you be happy if migrant people were rounded up and ripped out of their family homes and sent back to be homeless south of the border?   Anyway, I hope your wrath doesn't go in too many directions, because you are talking about people, human beings friend, and they are here because God put them here.  His expectation of you and I is to love people and extend our hearts.  A tough concept to swallow for some, but the right concept. 

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Rudy Carrick March 27, 2009 12:20 pm (Pacific time)

This issue needs to be voted on. I reviewed the below comments and all had excellent points, but the bottom line is that each state should vote on this matter, and how they want to deal with it. Has anyone seen data on how many foreign students who came here on student visas overstayed those visas, and are currently here in violation of our laws? We either change the immigration laws or we enforce them. All of the national polls I've observed show the vast majority want our immigration laws enforced. The politicans have a clear voter mandate in this matter on a federal/national level, so vote on it on a state by state basis. We have limited resources. Whether in education or healthcare, as costs continue to rise, the inevitable results are limited classroom seats and in healthcare, coverage restrictions and longer waiting periods correspond to those diminishing resources which cannot keep up with demand. We see that happening now to a certain degree, but has really gotten worse in the Land of Lord Keynes, the UK.

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lance sjogren March 27, 2009 11:01 am (Pacific time)

Howard Berman (D-CA) Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) Richard Lugar (R-IN) All of these have been relentless in trying to sabotage our immigration laws during their time in office. These guys have no credibility. Get them out of office, NOW. You get some people in there that have some moral standing and a record of pursuing their elected positions in good faith, and then there will be a genuine possibility of some genuine compromises on immigration policy. Right now, the anarchists like the above politicians say, give us everything now, even though we have stabbed you in the back every time we have had the chance to in the past, because we will do something for you in the future. Enough with these liars. Get them out of office.

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Henry Ruark March 27, 2009 10:58 am (Pacific time)

JM: Yours ignores the driving economic forces involved simply to strengthen erroneous assumptions re forced flow. If yrs correct, we would have considerable flow also from Canada --not true, never has been. Are you UNinformed or MISinformed re formation of low-wage production plants of all types in Mexico, and the resulting impacts on way of life there ? That's deeply involved here also and is key cause of drug-war now in news. Simplistic explanations here abuse public opinion, distort policy, subvert planning and seduce stupid non-solutions. Check out facts, cogitate prior to smearing untruths in public channel. Re amnesty, do you propose to depopulate U.S. by the huge number now here and in process of assimilation ? Can you tell us how that is to be done, with costs, plan, agency setup and all else demanded ? Fact is fact. Feelings no matter how intense will in no way alter realities,demanding rational, reasonable, workable and ethical/moral handling if we are to uphold both American values and the Constitution.

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lance sjogren March 27, 2009 10:56 am (Pacific time)

Maybe Dream act can be considered at some point in the future once the politicians have shown some good faith in addressing the illegal immigration issue. The American people have been betrayed time and time again by the politicians on the side of Berman and the like. The politicians have a lot of nerve stabbing the American people in the back year after year and then seeking to stab us once again. They are like bailed out bankers. First we need tougher enforcement laws and we need to start enforcing the law. The Obama admin is showing no good faith effort to enforce the immigration laws. He is even worse than Bush on that, if you can believe it. By the way- funny how the advocates of "Comprehensive Immigration Reform" suddenly find it virtuous instead to enact "Piecemeal Immigration 'Reform' " when they feel it better serves their political agenda. These politicians have zero credibility. Vote them out of office. Vote in some politicians who tell the truth and who believe in America and the rule of law. And who follow through and enforce policies that reflect that. Then we can talk. I am tired of the lies, I am tired of the anarchist politicians. I have had enough, and I believe the majority of my fellow Americans feel that way as well.

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Jimi March 27, 2009 10:17 am (Pacific time)

Rewarding illegal behavior just reeps more of it. The current surge of 20 million+ illegals is a direct result of selective non-enforcement of immigration laws, which they are obligated under the constitution to obey. The last amnesty created this invasion so we are do repeat what has proven not to work? Isn't that the definition of insanity? The Dream act is an under the cover approach to amnesty on the installment plan.

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Debbie March 27, 2009 9:58 am (Pacific time)

College is free in Mexico according to past Mr Fox, past president, Fox. I confirmed this with a teacher from Mexico city. There is no reason whatsoever for children from Mexico is be allowed to stay here and get a college education. We used to allow foreign students to come here for education so they could return to their country and benefit it with their new knowledge. That was an excellent idea and a worthy one. But now these people are never satisfied. They want more and more of what isn't theirs. We don't need immigration reform, we need immigration enforcement. Our colleges are overflowing and going broke. Don't add fuel to this fire when we can get it back under control using common sense and wisdom.

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Henry Ruark March 27, 2009 8:55 am (Pacific time)

To all: Good to see wit, wisdom, will of American public now demonstrated further by Adrian,Abel, Martin, Kenny and justawrd. Yours reflects Constitution and tested, proven American values well, with full ethical impact now demanded if we truly believe what it states.

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Dan March 27, 2009 6:02 am (Pacific time)

It's not going to cost anything to the tax payer to pass this bill. In fact we'll acutally be making a profit off this brand new tax base. I can live with this, they're children and didn't break any laws. I see it as a win/win for everyone.

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Abel March 26, 2009 9:46 pm (Pacific time)

The DREAM Act needs to be passed! Each year about 65,000 U.S.–raised students who would qualify for the DREAM Act’s benefits graduate from high school. These include honor roll students, star athletes, talented artists, homecoming queens, and aspiring teachers, doctors, and U.S. soldiers. They are young people who have lived in the U.S. for most of their lives and call this country their home. Even though they were brought to the U.S. years ago as children, they face unique barriers to higher education, are unable to work legally in the U.S., and live in constant fear of being unfairly singled out and sent away to a country that is no longer home. Congress needs to do the right thing here for these kids. Today’s global economy depends on an educated and skilled population. Passage of the DREAM Act would add thousands of talented, motivated, multi-lingual and multi-cultural people to our workforce.

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Adrian March 26, 2009 9:12 pm (Pacific time)

I will only make a few points to counter those who think that this will somehow be a drain on tax money or the economy. Before the economic aspect its important to acknowledge this only applies to students who have been in the country since they were a minimum age so most of these were brought over by their parents and did not choose to come here. Also, these are people who have decided to continue educating themselves in hopes of a better future for them and their families, at the same time becoming productive members of society. Most do not have solid ties to any country outside of the United States and this is the only place they know as home. Now they have made the decision to become productive members of our society but under current laws this is not possible. Instead they get to a point where they can go no further and are pushed back into the shadows and the informal economy, manual labor, or whatever other mean they can find to support themselves. Along with that the US is then losing all the money it has invested in these students by mandating a free k-12 education for all students. This legislation makes sense for these students, but it also makes sense for America, we need more trained, educated, and skilled members of the work force. Immigration is a federal issue and in this case the federal government needs to take action and do what is right for the country.

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Martin March 26, 2009 8:50 pm (Pacific time)

Stephen, You are missing the bigger picture. You hundreds of thousands of students and prospective military service men that would benefit it this Bill is passed. You say where are they gonna get jobs? Well what do you think they are doing now? Just sitting around playing with their thumbs? I can bet that most have a job and if given the chance, they would get educated and stay employed. It's not hard to find a job, it's hard to find a job that will pay what you want. You want reality? Tell those that were making 100k plus a year to take jobs that pay minimum and tell me their reaction. The REALITY is, they don't want to get employed (a lot of the Americans asking for unemployment). Now don't get me wrong, i know the economy is in the dumps and even when it's not, i understand there will always be unemployment. BUT would you rather have people work under the table? NOT paying taxes? Basically what you are telling me and the rest of the world is that you invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in their education (through your tax money), just to give them the boot when they graduate high school? Does that make sense to you? Why not give them the chance to get a higher education or serve our country in this time of need. Not only that, they ARE future tax payers and i would much rather seem them pay taxes now, rather than later, as our social security program is going down the drain just like the economy. You want them to stop using up services paid by the citizens? Let them become part of society and get higher paying jobs where they might have health insurance, and if they don't, at least they will not crowed the emergency rooms and get everything at the expense of the tax payer... I don't know about everyone else, but this is the most practical way to deal with a small fraction of the illegal immigrant population....

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anonymous March 26, 2009 8:30 pm (Pacific time)

buttom line illegals need to go back were they come from. We don't need intruders to take our Citizen's jobs, nor we need them to steal our IDs. Get them back were they come from.

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justawrd March 26, 2009 8:28 pm (Pacific time)

Look back into ur history and ask ur self wat kind of people build this great pleace we call america?the land of freedom,peace and prosperity .they all come here in hopes of that,not to come and lay bricks in a 98degree weather,clean bathrooms for $3-6 an hr,no but they do wat they have to do to get ever so close to the american dream.they give up any morality they had just to servive.they're human just like the rest of us y not b treated the way u would like 2 b treated.I believe we are our own distruction.....just u think on that

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Kenny March 26, 2009 8:25 pm (Pacific time)

These students deserve the right to belong in this country were they grew up. Most of these undocumented students are as American as you, except for the fact that they don't have legal status in the country. Most were brought in by their parents as children and eventually intertwined in the American educational system. These students want to make progress for the country they love which is The United States of America, a country based on immigration, that spewed great wealth on past immigrants. These children want to express their Americanism, attend college, practice their degrees, further technology, pay taxes, and live in the country they express unconditional love for, The United States of America.

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stephen March 26, 2009 6:37 pm (Pacific time)

Somebody might want to take a reality check. Not from their cushy government office, but from reality. I am not racist, I am a realist. I put an ad on Craigslist for some temporary farm help, and in 2 days have almost 200 responses. Most of them begging for work, several are homeless, many are skilled in other professions. . The only hiring going on, is from the government. And I am really curious how they pay for all of the new hires, but thats a different story. I am just wondering where these new "taxpayers" are going to get a job to even be able to pay taxes? Almost 3 million people filing for unemployment each month. I dont understand this legislation, and what it has to do with reality. Maybe our representatives should just stay home and enjoy their families. Hard work, service and taxes.. The "dream" act. lol Our taxes just went to the bankers and killing millions of brown people. The "service" they refer to, will be doing things that our tax dollars were supposed to do. what the heck huh?

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Anonymous March 26, 2009 6:04 pm (Pacific time)

Make this a voting issue for each state. Let the voter's decide. Also see if it can be fast tracked to the U.S. Supreme Court so some federal judge does not ignore the will of the people and changes their vote regardless of what that vote outcome is. Since it is the taxpayer who pays for public education, including public colleges this would be the appropriate way to go about this. The voters will be the ultimate decider. To have some lone federal judge quash an election result needs to be taken out of play in such an important matter. For example you could have federal judges in different districts rule differently, so we need the Supreme Court to set the rules clearly that this is a states rights issue.

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Patriot March 26, 2009 5:54 pm (Pacific time)

Yep its about time that there is a Rational realistic Comprehensive Immigration Reform which has nothing to do with the faltering economy, These poor migrants are paying more taxes than the failing banks and financial system since anyone that looses money dose not pay taxes, so our nations problems are because of the Greed of the banking system and those who borrowed and spent more than they could afford. Actually the undocumented Immigrants pay more taxes than you think, they pay Federal, State and Income tax and Social Security, since they have a ITN# which is given to them by the IRS. Lets get these 12 million people on the books, so they can start also buying Homes, Cars, Appliances Etc and assist in fixing this broken economy.

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