Immigrant: Undocumented Students - Essay Example

Fiscal Policy Institutes’ studies show that immigrants contribute significantly to the US economy and, regardless of their immigration status, are “carrying more than their weight and not a burden on the US economy by any means” (Persaud 11). Contrary to popular belief, The DREAM act is not an “amnesty or citizenship” to these immigrants but a way for them to “earn legalization” by giving them work permits after education (Persaud 11). Amongst the unauthorized immigrant population, there are nearly three hundred and sixty thousand high school graduates, (Van Hook, Bean, and Passel) and another seven hundred and fifteen thousand such undocumented children in the age bracket of 5 to 17 years (Topical).

ArgumentsProponents argue that the DREAM Act must be passed quickly. They argue that undocumented students must not be punished for their parents’ fault in illegal immigration. Being minors at the time of immigration, they could not be held responsible for wrong decisions by their elders. Studies on immigrant youths (Jefferies 250) show that they are hard-working, gifted, and overcome insurmountable odds. Denying them equal opportunity in higher education would result in the American workforce losing access to these hard-working and intelligent individuals who would be reduced to working in labor jobs (Jefferies 249-250).

Opponents to giving equal rights to undocumented children in higher education argue that passing the DREAM Act would rob the regular citizens’ children of their right to subsidies in higher education as the pie would be divided between them and the undocumented children. They also argue that legalizing education for undocumented children would be immoral as it would be considered a reward for illegal behavior (Eckstein A19).ChallengesThe biggest challenge I faced doing this thesis was to sift through the Federal laws that governed this topic to narrow down to IIRIRA 96 and PRWORA 96.

Also, the information about the debate was scattered and had to be searched extensively. RewardsPreviously I was only just aware that this issue existed. Through this research, I was able to study it in deeper detail including the relevance of the DREAM Act, and the political debate about it in Congress and various states.RecommendationsThe National Immigration Law Centre and its website www.nilc.org is a comprehensive updated resource describing the issues, legalities, arguments, and legislative developments.

It should be the starting point for any further research on this topic. I would also recommend the book Underground America: Narratives of Undocumented Lives (Orner) which visits undocumented individuals’ lives from close range.