Stop deporting the innocent, support the “Dream Act”

Not all who violate immigration rules are guilty; many in fact are innocent, such as the children who are brought by their parents as very young children. Such is the case of Walter Lara, a 23 year old who was brought to this country at the age of three from Argentina by his parents where they overstayed their tourist visa.

Like many children in similar circumstances, Lara does not remember Argentina; he is in fact just like other American children growing up in Miami, working hard in school earning the distinction of later graduating from the Honors College of Miami Dade College. Lara, a successful computer technician, was discovered by government officials on his way to work and is set to be deported to a country he has never seen July 6th. That can and should be stopped through the important initiatives co-sponsored in a bi-partisan manner by Senator Bill Nelson, Democrat of Florida and his Republican colleague Mel Martinez known as the “Dream Ac”.

Essentially, the “Dream Act” would grant residency to students who can show residency within the United States for a minimum of 3-5 years, have graduated from high school and have not been in trouble with the law. They would be entitled to enlist in the military or attend state colleges or universities. Upon completing a six-year probationary period, they could be eligible for permanent residency. The Obama administration supports the “Dream Act” and it could be an important initial step toward meaningful immigration reform.

The “Dream Act” is consistent with U.S. policy toward education. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1982 ruled in Plyler v. Doe that undocumented children could not be denied access to a public school education but that does not include college or university level. Immigration reform should be designed to protect the best interests of this country, which include trying to help the best and the brightest within its borders.

Senators Nelson and Martinez deserve the support of Congress in passing the “Dream Act”, which they cosponsored, for the good of all.