House approves DREAM Act, but Senate approval uncertain - Polidicks

[QUOTE]Washington (CNN) -- A hotly debated measure that offers a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children won approval Wednesday from the U.S. House. The 216-198 vote, mostly on partisan lines, sends the so-called DREAM Act to the Senate, where it was uncertain if supporters had the votes to overcome a certain Republican filibuster against it. The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- or DREAM -- would create a path to citizenship for immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children under the age of 16 and have lived in America for at least five years, obtained a high school or General Education Development diploma and demonstrated "good moral character," according to a White House fact sheet. Even then, only a six-year conditional status would be awarded, and before moving to the next phase, the students would need to meet additional requirements -- attending college or serving in the military for at least two years, and passing criminal background checks.Proponents, including President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders, say the bill offers legal standing to young people brought to the United States who have bettered themselves and served their new country, while opponents claim it is a form of amnesty for illegal immigrants. Before Wednesday's House vote, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano joined congressional Democrats at a news conference to urge Congress to pass the bill. "These are not the individuals that are a threat to our public safety or our security," Napolitano said. "This is an area where ... our nation's immigration laws have not kept up with our nation's needs." The White House has touted the bill as a measure that will strengthen the nation's military and its economy. A potential beneficiary is Cesar Vargas, a soon-to-be law school graduate with a 3.8 average who wants to serve in the U.S. military. Under current law, Vargas won't even be able to hold a job after he graduates, much less enlist. He is in the country illegally after being brought to New York from Mexico as a child. "All I want is the opportunity to serve my country and to give back to the country that has given me so much," Vargas said. "... We're not a problem. We're the solution." However, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said the bill could grant amnesty to more than 2 million illegal immigrants. "Mass amnesty is not the only problem with the DREAM Act," said Smith, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. "The bill allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition at public universities, placing them ahead of U.S. citizens. The bill also is a magnet for fraud." The White House disputed that the bill will give amnesty, noting in a fact sheet that "it requires responsibility and accountability of young people who apply to adjust their status under the DREAM Act, creating a lengthy and rigorous process." It also points out that DREAM Act beneficiaries would not be eligible for federal grants, such as Pell Grants, to attend college. "Undocumented youth adjusting to lawful permanent resident status are only eligible for federal student loans which must be paid back, and federal work-study programs where they must work for any benefit they receive," according to the White House. "This is not some dream road, easy-picking concession of the Congress of the United States, of the government, to American citizenship," said Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Illinois, who delivered an impassioned plea on behalf of the measure. "No Pell Grant. I'd like to see you get through college without a Pell Grant. No government assistance ... no health care. Nothing. Nothing but your own faith and your own determination and your own work to get you through school. And nothing but your own work, your own determination to join the military." Beneficiaries will receive in-state tuition in their state of residence, the same as any student, he said. The Congressional Budget Office has said the measure would cut the federal deficit by $1.4 billion and increase government revenues by $2.3 billion over the next decade. Young people who do not fulfill the act's requirements will lose their legal status and would be subject to deportation, according to the White House fact sheet. DREAM Act applicants would be responsible for paying the processing fees associated with their applications, and would be subject to "rigorous criminal background checks and reviews." DREAM Act beneficiaries would not be able to petition for legal status for their family members until after they had satisfied all the requirements. They would also be subject to waiting periods. "The bottom line is that it would take many years before parents or siblings who previously entered the country illegally could obtain a green card," the White House said.[/QUOTE] Source: [url]http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/08/dream.act/index.html?hpt=T1[/url]

[quote]The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act -- or DREAM -- would create a path to citizenship for immigrants who entered the United States illegally as children under the age of 16 and have lived in America for at least five years, obtained a high school or General Education Development diploma and demonstrated "good moral character," according to a White House fact sheet.[/quote] Ha ha providing better lives for people that obviously work hard and deserve it, what a joke!

[QUOTE=Xen Tricks;26584153]Ha ha providing better lives for people that obviously work hard and deserve it, what a joke![/QUOTE] Illegal immigrants probably work a lot harder, and do a lot dirtier jobs than you ever will.

[QUOTE=mobrockers;26584912]Illegal immigrants probably work a lot harder, and do a lot dirtier jobs than you ever will.[/QUOTE] He was being sarcastic. :rolleyes:

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;26584927]He was being sarcastic. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE] I got that, just thought it was sarcastic the other way round :v:

Did at least one Democrat vote for it? Yes? Then it will never pass in the Senate.

[QUOTE=mobrockers;26585023]I got that, just thought it was sarcastic the other way round :v:[/QUOTE] I was being sarcastic. :v:

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;26585444]I was being sarcastic. :v:[/QUOTE] God damn sarcasm.

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;26585429]Did at least one Democrat vote for it? Yes? Then it will never pass in the Senate.[/QUOTE] Of course it won't get passed. We setup the senate in 1801 to stop bills from passing. only a few have ever slipped through the senate.

This needs to be passed, but of course illegals are taking our jobs and selling drugs to our kids right?

Please define 'good moral character'.

I'm conflicted on this, I want those who had no choice to come here and finished school without committing any crimes to be treated as US citizens, but at the same time, I don't want this act to pass since it doesn't bar the parents who came here illegally from getting greencards off their children's gaining citizenship under this act

[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;26586547]Please define 'good moral character'.[/QUOTE] Certainly! Good moral character is an important aspect of immigration law and even minor violations can be the sole reason for a dismissal of a case.[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character#cite_note-0"][1][/URL] [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Citizenship_and_Immigration_Services"]United States Citizenship and Immigration Services[/URL] describes "good moral character" as an absence of involvement in the following activities:[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character#cite_note-1"][2][/URL] [LIST] [*]Being convicted of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder"]murder[/URL] [*]Being convicted of an aggravated [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony"]felony[/URL] or [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_crime"]Federal crime[/URL], which includes: [LIST] [*]Murder, [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape"]rape[/URL], or sexual abuse of a minor [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_drug_trade"]Illicit trafficking[/URL] in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_prohibition_law"]controlled substances[/URL] [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firearm"]Firearms[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destructive_device"]destructive devices[/URL], and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosive_material"]explosive materials[/URL] offenses [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_laundering"]Money laundering[/URL] [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violent_crime"]Crimes of violence[/URL] for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theft"]Theft[/URL] and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burglary"]burglary[/URL] offenses for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year [*]Crimes involving the demand for or receipt of [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransom"]ransom[/URL] [*]Crimes involving [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_pornography"]child pornography[/URL] [*]Crimes involving a violation of the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act"]Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act[/URL] (RICO) [*]A second or subsequent gambling offense for which a one-year or greater term of imprisonment may be imposed [*]Prostitution "managing" and transporting offenses [*]Crimes against the government [*]Offenses that jeopardize [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_security"]national security[/URL] [*]Offenses that involve fraud or deceit in which the victims' aggregate losses exceed $10,000 [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_evasion"]Tax evasion[/URL] involving a government loss in excess of $10,000 [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_smuggling"]Alien smuggling[/URL], except for first offenses involving attempts to enable entry by a relative of the accused [*]Certain offenses committed by aliens who were previously deported for having committed a crime [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport_fraud"]Passport fraud[/URL] offenses with a term of imprisonment of one year or greater, except for first offenses involving attempts to enable entry by a relative of the accused [*][URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failure_to_appear"]Failure to appear[/URL] to serve a sentence for which the underlying offense is punishable by imprisonment for five or more years [*]Offenses involving commercial bribery, [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterfeiting"]counterfeiting[/URL], forgery, or trafficking in vehicles with altered identification numbers with a term of imprisonment of at least one year [*]Offenses involving [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstruction_of_justice"]obstruction of justice[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury"]perjury[/URL], [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subornation_of_perjury"]subornation of perjury[/URL], and [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_tampering"]witness tampering[/URL] with a term of imprisonment of at least one year [*]Failure to appear in court pursuant to court order to answer to a felony charge for which a sentence of two or more years’ imprisonment may be imposed [*]Committing or being convicted of one or more crimes involving "[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude"]moral turpitude[/URL]"[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_moral_character#cite_note-2"][3][/URL] [*]Committing and being convicted of two or more offenses with a total sentence of five or more years [*]Being confined to a penal institution during the statutory period (either the preceding three or five years, depending on the circumstances, or one year for Armed Forces expedited cases) for an aggregate of 180 days or more [*]Committing and being convicted of two or more [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambling"]gambling[/URL] offenses [*]Earning your principal income from gambling. [*]Being involved in [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostitution"]prostitution[/URL] or commercialized [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vice"]vice[/URL] [*]Being involved in smuggling illegal aliens into the United States [*]Being a habitual [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_intoxication"]drunkard[/URL] [*]Practicing [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy"]polygamy[/URL] [*]Willfully failing or refusing to support dependents [*]Giving false testimony under oath in order to receive benefits under the Immigration and Nationality Act [/LIST] [/LIST] Additionally several other activities disqualify a person from having "good moral character": [LIST] [*]Failing to register for [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selective_Service_System"]Selective Service[/URL] [*]Providing false information in documents [*]Falsely claiming U.S. citizenship [/LIST]

[quote]Being a habitual [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_intoxication"]drunkard[/URL][/quote] Good luck finding people of good moral character on college campuses then

[QUOTE=Broseph_;26586562]I'm conflicted on this, I want those who had no choice to come here and finished school without committing any crimes to be treated as US citizens, but at the same time, I don't want this act to pass since it [B]doesn't bar the parents who came here illegally from getting greencards off their children's gaining citizenship under this act[/B][/QUOTE] And that's a problem because?

[QUOTE=Edthefirst;26586689]And that's a problem because?[/QUOTE] "anchor babies"

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;26587663]"anchor babies"[/QUOTE] Which is a non-existent problem made up by conservatives to scare the populace.

[QUOTE=5killer;26588182]Which is a non-existent problem made up by conservatives to scare the populace.[/QUOTE] Never said it was or wasn't. Merely clarifying what Broseph_ was talking about.

i dislike walking into any store/restaurant/auto shop and seeing a bazillion mexicans and not white people. i'm further exasperated by the fact that my friends can't get scholarships because they're all for mexicans. i shit you not, more than 70% you have to be mexican to qualify. they come here and sag their pants and spit and be little beaner fucks and they get everything. it's total bullshit. they should all be deported, not have a chance for citizenship. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("racism" - Lithifold))[/highlight]

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;26587663]"anchor babies"[/QUOTE] Well I was actually asking why parents of these children getting greencards is a bad thing. [editline]9th December 2010[/editline] [QUOTE=Ultralast;26588284]i dislike walking into any store/restaurant/auto shop and seeing a bazillion mexicans and not white people. i'm further exasperated by the fact that my friends can't get scholarships because they're all for mexicans. i shit you not, more than 70% you have to be mexican to qualify. they come here and sag their pants and spit and be little beaner fucks and they get everything. it's total bullshit. they should all be deported, not have a chance for citizenship.[/QUOTE] Glad I'm a Brazilian-American. Helped out a bunch when I applied to colleges, oh wait, no it didn't. That statistic (while obviously exaggerated for effect) is total bullshit.

They went back to using the god-forsaken word 'alien' to make the acronym fit.

[QUOTE=NotoriousSpy;26588829]They went back to using the god-forsaken word 'alien' to make the acronym fit.[/QUOTE] alien is a god forsaken word since when

[QUOTE=Edthefirst;26588518]Well I was actually asking why parents of these children getting greencards is a bad thing. [editline]9th December 2010[/editline] Glad I'm a Brazilian-American. Helped out a bunch when I applied to colleges, oh wait, no it didn't. That statistic (while obviously exaggerated for effect) is total bullshit.[/QUOTE] don't worry, i'll get the scholarships out and scan them when i'm home from work.

[QUOTE=Dachande;26589153]alien is a god forsaken word since when[/QUOTE] When referring to illegal immigrants it's politically incorrect.

Fuck the senate

[QUOTE=Fuhrer;26593056]Fuck the senate[/QUOTE] Says the Fuhrer

[QUOTE=Ultralast;26588284]i dislike walking into any store/restaurant/auto shop and seeing a bazillion mexicans and not white people. i'm further exasperated by the fact that my friends can't get scholarships because they're all for mexicans. i shit you not, more than 70% you have to be mexican to qualify. they come here and sag their pants and spit and be little beaner fucks and they get everything. it's total bullshit. they should all be deported, not have a chance for citizenship.[/QUOTE] You're so racist its borderline comical

I dont see why they hate immigrants so much. I know a few illegals and they work really hard for nothing. with out them whos else is willing to cut grass for 3$ an hour

[QUOTE=5killer;26588182]Which is a non-existent problem made up by conservatives to scare the populace.[/QUOTE] Maybe in the United States, we get plenty of anchor babies here. "My entire family was killed by Saddam Hussein's secret police, now I'm all alone in the world ;_;" 2 years later: "It's a miracle, all my extended family (43 in total) were alive in Germany and now they need citizenship and social security benefits!"

We should just make the immigration law less retarded for people who just want to bloody work