WHAT THE DREAM ACT REALLY MEANS

WHAT THE DREAM ACT REALLY MEANS--DO NOT WASTE OUR TALENT

Yesterday, July 24, 2013, in the Los Angeles Times in an article by Lisa Marscaro, I discovered that it appears some Republican lawmakers are ready to accept the DREAMERS, the immigrant children who came across our borders without papers, who have served in our military and/or graduated from college.  As a "compromise" on the Immigration Bill they would agree to allow a path to citizenship for these young people.  Alas, not all Republicans want this compromise.  And, alas, it appears that the Democrats want all or nothing. Give us everything and allow a path for all--or nothing.
Now, I hope you take a really long look at the these two  pictures.  These are the faces of our present and our future. These are the young people to whom our Congress is fighting to deny a future. These are the faces of the people who would benefit from the Dream Act, benefitting our great country in immeasurable ways.

Just look at the talent!  Just look at the sacrifice!
Why in the world would our nation seek to deny a future in our country to young people who have finished their education; have fought for our country, maybe even died for it?

Oh, yeah, that's right--whenever some people think of immigrants, they think only of this:

SCARY HOARDS SEEKING TO OVERWHELM US.

TOO MANY PEOPLE DESTROYING OUR LAND, CARRYING DRUGS, TAKING OUR JOBS.  DRUG LORDS INVADING OUR SHORES WITH POISON! CRIME, CRIME, AND MORE CRIME!

:



But really the story is really more like this:    

It is a father, sacrificing everything to give his children a better future.

This is our immigration "problem"--a father, or a mother, or an aunt or uncle, leaving everything behind to bring their children to this country for a brighter future.  This is OUR HISTORY!  All of us have family histories where they have come from somewhere else to insure a better future for themselves and their future families.

Now, look again at the faces above.  These are the best and the brightest.  Their families did something right--LOOK AT THEM!  They finished college, they enlisted in our military, they made something of the sacrifice their fathers and mothers made.

Do not let politics or fear ruin our future,  Make room in your hearts and in our society for these young people who have so much to give.

Now is the time for you to contact your Congressional Representative and tell them-- LET THE DREAM ACT PASS--GIVE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE A FUTURE.  After all--it is our future too.  We cannot afford to lose or waste this talent.

By:  Mary (M.J.) de la Pena, author of An Immigrant American Hero.
Visit my websites to learn more about my books, writings and law practice.  marydelapena-author.com  and delapenalawoffice.com