Photo Credit: Family Content

An advertisement created in support for the California DREAM Act

As national debates regarding immigration remain extremely heated, California is showing steps towards amending the deeply broken system in America. Recently signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, the California DREAM Act is a two-part bill that gives illegal immigrants that intend to go to college access to state-financed aid and scholarships for public and private universities. Part one, otherwise known as Assembly Bill 130 (AB-130), was passed by Brown earlier in July, while AB-131 was recently passed in prior weeks. Yet, with the authorization of this bill has come much controversy from all spectrums of the political field regarding the topic of immigration. However, against all criticism, I think that this new bill is an imperative initial step towards advancing not only an immigrant’s status within our state, but also improving societal well being.

Although applicants must prove their intent to gain citizenship in order to be considered as a recipient of the aid, the bill does not guarantee citizenship after graduation. That being said, many opponents worry that this bill undermines the immigration laws currently enforced in California and will only attract more to come in the near future.

Others are more concerned with the already underfunded budget for education in California, feeling as though this is just another blow to the troubled program. The price tag that comes along with this new bill would be about $14 million, a large fee, many say, for only about 2,500 students that actually qualify for the financial assistance.

Spokesperson for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, Kristen Williamson, said, “When the state is cutting services to legal residents, it’s unfair and reckless to be extending benefits to illegal aliens,” in a recent interview with The Daily Bruin.

However, even with the disapproval from the bill, I believe that this is a vital step towards reforming the broken image of the American Dream. As the saying goes, America is THE “land of opportunity,” which is the reason that our country seems so appealing to many foreigners trapped under oppressive and corrupt governments. However, although some deem immigration regulations too lax, the current restrictions imposed bar many deserving immigrants of any prospect of making something for themselves in America.

Because these people are undocumented, they are unable to get a legal job, keeping them from paying tuition or advancing their status in society at all. Forming the lowest income bracket, they become detrimental for the well being of American society, which in turn, channels a non-accepting and stereotypical outlook towards most immigrant families. However, many would not be faced with this unfortunate sequence if citizenship were more accessible. As we set up strict guidelines against all those who aren’t legal, we create this non-ending cycle of adversity in which immigrants are forced to live.

Although not all American citizens are racists, opponents to immigration consistently present valid arguments against a foreigner’s low social status, crime involvement, and granting of resources to whom they think are unworthy immigrants. However, outlining problems is a barmy practice when no solutions are presented. This bill, to me, seems like a viable initial step towards reconstructing the deeply troubled immigration system. As education is crucial for most professions nowadays and for ensuring a quality life, immigrants face absolutely no chance later in life if we deny them the initial steps towards creating something for themselves through college. Those that deny them this only reinforce and amplify the issue they vehemently oppose. Like it or not, the immigrants aren’t going anywhere. So, why not fix the broken system instead of continuously highlighting the issues?

Now, I’m not saying that we should keep our borders open and let all who want to come in use our resources at the possibility that they will get a job after completing college. Those who view the DREAM Act in this way do not fully understand the basics of this bill. Immigrant applications for state-financed scholarships will only be looked at after all other legal residents have submitted their application. Furthermore, in comparison with CalGrant’s annual $14 billion budget, the aid that immigrants will receive makes up relatively only 1% of their budget, roughly $14 million. With such a low figure, and a complicated approval and submission process, it seems almost unjust not to allow these laudable students access.

However, some feel as though if we provide them with success, the result will be an increase in competitiveness for jobs in an already do-or-die culture. Although that doesn’t sound so appealing to most recent college graduates, the competition ensures only the best will make up our workforce. Competition provides incentives not only for the immigrants to do well in high school, but also for our own citizen’s to apply themselves to ensure a stable future. In the end, it will be those extremely qualified immigrants who take on professions that contribute to the well being of society as a whole. It will be only the most deserving of the position that gains the position. The fact that someone was born on American soil should not be the deciding factor for how successful they can be.

The new bill addresses the younger population of immigrants, most of who were brought here in the early stages of their lives and remember nothing of their native country. As they have lived here for their entire lives, they identify themselves as American, apart from the one documented technicality that deems them aliens in our country.

As the students that would qualify to receive the aid must graduate from high school, show proof of intent to become a citizen, and be in the top of their class to be admitted to a university, they also must balance high school stress, most likely growing up with unpleasant circumstances, and daily racial discrimination. Just with that, it seems to me that these immigrants are more deserving of scholarships than the majority of the American’s are.

And no, that doesn’t make me unpatriotic for saying that either. If anything, those who disagree with this bill prove themselves to be false representations of what a true American citizen is. As immigrants formed America, we rightfully earned the title of the “melting pot of the world.” Denying these deserving immigrants a fair chance is not only wrong, but it compromises the foundations that established America centuries ago.

As current times are more interconnected than ever before, we should be able to work together. Innovation is not in the hands of one nation anymore; it is in the hands of the citizens of the world. Establishing a medium between cooperation and our opinion will encourage more peaceful times, provide productive and positive ways for how to approach challenges, and will establish a shared ground to move into our chaotic future. This DREAM Act isn’t just for immigrants in America, but it also stands as a symbol for hope for the minorities everywhere.