The DREAM Act Might Be Dead, But These Kids’ Hopes Are Not;
June 20, 2008 in DREAM Act Students, News Article by Administrator
They are American in everything but name. They can go to college in Texas and improve themselves. Doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, they’re just illegal immigrants without social security numbers or futures.
The phone was already ringing when Javier walked through the front door to his parents’ house.
“Hello?” said Javier, who had just returned from the University of Houston campus where he and a group of undocumented students had been passing out pro-DREAM Act fliers just days before the U.S. Senate voted on the bill in the fall of 2007.
Officially called the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, the proposed legislation would provide a path to legal residency for illegal immigrants who wish to serve in the armed forces or attend college and whose parents brought them to the United States when they were young.
“Good evening, sir,” said the man on the other end of the line. “I’d like to talk to you about opening a line of credit with our new offer from Visa in conjunction with the University of Houston. All we need is your Social Security number,”
“Oh, no thanks,” said Javier. “I don’t need a credit card right now.”
“What, don’t you have a social security number?” said the voice. “Are you a wetback? Are you scared that I’m going to turn you over to the police and you’ll get thrown outta my country? Why don’t you just go back to Mexico.”
Javier slammed down the receiver and turned away. The phone rang again.
“Hello,” answered Javier.
It was the same threatening voice, so Javier hung up once more.
“I have to say, I was really scared,” says Javier (not his real name).
The next day at school, Javier told his fellow DREAM Act students what had happened.
“They said that they all had the same thing happen to them all the time,” says Javier.
Even though the DREAM Act itself would only affect a relatively small number of people, it is every bit a part of the larger political dogfight that is immigration reform in this country.
Supporters argue that by providing a path to citizenship, these immigrants are able to legally work and contribute to the country both economically and socially.
