Remember Elvira Arellano? An illegal immigrant, Arellano hid out in a Chicago church to avoid deportation after a second illegal entry. Arellano had also committed Social Security fraud, a nasty habit that amnesty proponents prefer to overlook. Apprehended in California in August 2007, Arellano was finally booted out of the U.S. after becoming a media figure and poster child for reforming our immigration laws.
Thoughtful Illinois legislators have decided to make life better for the state’s illegal immigrants. The Illinois DREAM Act has been approved, and awaits Governor Pat Quinn’s signature. Had Arellano been able to hang on for just a few more years she might have been able to qualify for a scholarship, or could have invested for her son’s education in the public college savings program. One of the requirements for illegals to use the savings plan is a Social Security or taxpayer identification number, so she was already halfway there.
Lawmakers backing the Illinois DREAM Act maintain that no taxpayer money will go towards the higher educations of illegal immigrants because the scholarships are privately funded. This is an easy one to test. Illinois should stop all public funding of state colleges and universities. Let’s see how long they last without the support of overstressed taxpayers already paying higher income taxes. Will school counselors, tasked with giving illegals an informed leg up, still feel like being informative without their publicly funded salaries?
It is no big surprise that Illinois followed Barack Obama’s lead. The president should be pleased that his wrecked home state stepped up to the plate and lent a helping hand to illegals, something he is eager to do on a much grander scale. Illinois is unable to grant U.S. citizenship, and the Obama administration made it clear to Arizona that the Federal Government enforces our immigration laws. This raises the tantalizing question of whether ICE can use Illinois DREAM Act scholarship information to identify illegal immigrants and deport them, college degree or not. The president claims to be big on immigration enforcement. Here is an opportunity to live up to his words.
To be fair, the Illinois DREAM Act could benefit the illegal community in one big way. Unlike Arellano, maybe college educated illegals can think up smarter frauds so they don’t get caught.
youre an idiot
Hey Anonymous: Why don’t you pay for the illegal immigrant scholarships. so the tax payers can get off the hook for what the Springfield Cartel wants to do. When your state is broke maybe its time to take a look at what will solve the problem, such as spend less on social issues etc..
Civil Candor, your analysis of the Dream Act and the illegal immigration situation is right on. When are we going stop catering to the illegals and start thinking what is best for our citizens. I would like to see the Federal Government really enforce our immigration laws and not just pretend they are doing the job.
Hey Rosa: Why don’t you learn the english language for that is the language of America. Furthermore if you don’t like our language then just leave, for we have enough trouble trying to understand why people want to be here but they have little interest in our customs or language. Freedom is costly and freeloading is cheap, so please make the right choice for a better America.
first, if the state cuts funding to universities your own people will suffer the consequences not just those who are illegal
second, illegal immigrants pay taxes just like any other americans, and support social security because it is automatically reduced from their paychecks (note that they cannot claim these benefits as they are illegal)
third, this reminds me of the criticism Lincoln received for freeing the slaves
Fourth, competition helps the country grow smarter people make better societies
fifth, illegal immigrants already live here education can help reduce felonies among these minorities
side note, if there are no immigrants who will make the dollar menus on most fast food chains 😉
Nelson, thanks for the comments. On school funding, precisely my point. Claims by politicians that no taxpayer dollars are involved are false, because taxpayers fund the schools. ITINs are also used fraudulently, and illegal immigrants cannot work here legally, whether they pay taxes or not.
Slavery? Are you suggesting illegal immigrants are brought to the U.S. by force?
Hey Nelson J: Legal immigrants are always welcome, which is the way our country came into existence once the country had its constitution. Illegal immigration is against the laws that were established for an organized development of our society. Why can’t people like you understand that illegal is illegal or unlawful? We are supposed to be a nation based on laws, but the current leadership believes that laws are meant to be broken or silly at best. Be an American and obey the laws.
Hey Samuel: You talking about immigrants and you have a Hispanic name. Why dont you just shut your mouth. I’m very happy about this finally some kids are gonna get their education.
Hey Gaby: Why don’t you pay for that education and leave the taxpayers out of your freeloading ideas?
Hey samuel: Right !!! Naw Plus what wrong with helping other people. If it was you how would you feel. How much more can we pay in tax. And let me guess your race white.
Gaby – I have no problem in helping people, but helping people who have broken our laws in that they are here illegally seems to me that that would also be illegal. Why can’t they come here by registering for legal immigration? Why should anyone who has been waiting to immigrate through normal channels have to be bypassed because an illegal has taken their place? There are many latinos who are here legally who do not like what the illegals are doing and think our system is totally broke. We should not be promoting this illegal immigration in any way shape or form.
Samuel: maybe in some way your right. But I still think its not fair …
What an ignorant… Do you know that most of those students are already fighting to get an education? Working and going to school, demonstrating us they are going to be a positive impact for this country.
They will be positive all right. so you better learn Spanish for that will be the next thing required by our government. If they have to fight for an education they could go back home and immigrate legally and get an education without a fight. By the way working is illegal in many states for those people. Tricky Dicky Durbin (Democrate) is behind most of this mess, so I guess he needs votes.
Were not talking about adults. Were talking about kids, children and babies that came here. You think they were asked? “Hey 1yr old you wanna go to a whole different country without your family?” No. They came here because of their parents. And I understand that its the parents fault but. If you left the country u were born in when you were one year old. And now are 18 and want to go to college in the only city you know, the one you have lived in your whole life. I think you should be able to. (Nothing to do with the language because MOST (every single immigrant I’ve known) immigrant has to learn english. Laws are messed up in this country. But you can’t blame all that in immigration. Most of those people come here for a better job to work doing things americans don’t wanna do. I don’t see them cleaning toilets. Cleaning offices for less than minimum wage. >=P
Thanks for commenting, Michelle. With the country out of money, and Illinois broke, how can we justify spending to benefit illegal immigrants, or giving away benefits like resident tuition that citizens do not qualify for? You are correct that many illegal immigrants take low wage jobs. How will they pay for college for their kids, and what should we do about the parents who are not DREAM Act-eligible?
I was recently reminded of this article, I’d like to say that I do agree with Samuel’s opinion to a certain extent, the law is meant to be kept and not be ignored like the mess in my room at the moment; but as we know, these students are at a great disadvantage due to circumstances that are outside their control. I believe the Illinois Dream Act will help level promote equal opportunity when it comes to financing higher education. It is important to note that most of these people perceive the U.S. as their homeland. By facilitating them financial aid we are investing in our own nations future in developing a more professional and capable workforce.
Thanks, Nelson. In lieu of a broader grant of amnesty via the comprehensive immigration reform package the president is backing, what should happen to the parents of illegal immigrants if only the DREAM Act was passed – would they also become legal residents?