If passed, the DREAM Act would grant permanent residency to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school, came to the U.S. as a minor, or completed two years at a higher university.
05.14.12 ♥ 0
If passed, the DREAM Act would grant permanent residency to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school, came to the U.S. as a minor, or completed two years at a higher university.
America is the Future
Dressed professionally in a suit and tie, Tercius Bufete is an educated and charismatic student, journalist, and most shockingly, an illegal immigrant.
Bufete came to the United State fifteen years ago from a small town in the Philippines with his family. As a child he didn’t understand why they were leaving their home, but his father knew that America could offer them a better life than what they had in the Philippines.
“All my father told me then was that America was where the future is, where we can have a better life. My father wanted us to have more opportunities,” says Bufete.
As an illegal immigrant, Bufete sees first hand how some people in society treat immigrants and the misconceptions made about them.
“People seem to think immigrants have loyalties elsewhere, that they aren’t supportive or attached to the United States,” says Bufete. “Just because you were born somewhere, that doesn’t mean that is where you belong.”
A student at Chico State University, Bufete has taken advantage of a college education and believes other immigrant students should be able to as well through the DREAM Act.
The DREAM Act
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act would grant permanent residency to illegal immigrants who graduated from a U.S. high school, came to the U.S. as a minor, or if they completed two years in the military or at a university of higher learning would be granted temporary residency.
The bill was initially introduced in 2007 with multiple reintroductions since then, but the Senate has yet to accept the DREAM Act.
For students like Bufete, the Dream Act would allow them to apply for financial aid during college and grant them an American citizenship.
“College or Military Service should open the path to permanent residency and there should be an easier immigration process, only weeding out criminals,” expresses Bufete.
A Place to Call Home
Until the Dream Act or similar legislation is passed, Bufete and millions of other illegal immigrants brought to the United States as minors face future challenges such as funding a higher education, securing a job, and voting.
America is already home to Bufete, but becoming a legal citizen will make it official and permanent. He believes the title of “American” is earned and after fifteen years in the United States, he feels like he truly represents the meaning of America.
To learn more about illegal immigration or the DREAM Act visit http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act or get your voice heard and vote on immigration in the upcoming election. To register to vote visit
Many Americans are concerned about illegal immigrants affecting the U.S. economy by doing jobs that legal citizens are perfectly capable and willing to do and using social services citizens paid by taxes.
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=75690
Photo By Don Bartletti
Over 50% of the 10 million illegal immigrants residing in the United States come from Mexico in hopes of greater job opportunities and education for their children.
http://www.illegalimmigrationstatistics.org/the-pros-and-cons-of-us-illegal-immigration/
With a longer physical border and increased border security, America would see a decline in illegal immigration from Mexico. Five years ago, 700 miles of fencing was proposed along the southern border of the U.S. as a way of limiting illegal immigration, but only 5% of the border has been completed.
BBC News
