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?
I believed you were protesting the use of private funds (not acknowledging where they are to come from) to provide scholarships through the “Illinois Dream Act” for children of immigrants, legal or not. Of course, the people that seem directly benefitted from the legislature are the children of illegal immigrants; however, you are now asking my standpoint on a completely different issue. What I do realize is that you aren’t more preoccupied with the actual issues themselves but the lack of efficiency our government leaders have towards addressing them. As for your question, the president favors an amnesty that includes entire families, the dream act will just be a starting point for “a broader grant of amnesty.” I will make the side note that parents of beneficiaries of the Dream Act will not be grant legal status through the same bill.
By using private money for Illinois DREAM Act scholarships, government is administering a program that encourages illegal immigration. Otherwise, as you point out, it is private money. People should do with their money as they wish. However, claims that no taxpayer funds will be used by the Illinois bill are false. Public colleges are taxpayer-supported institutions. Resident tuition is also a taxpayer-funded benefit. Illinois taxpayers are not providing loans or scholarships, but they are paying for a tuition break, instructors, administrators, and facilities. Agreed that Washington’s DREAM Act is a foot-in-the-door bill, leaving other issues to a broader piece of legislation.
You use the same argument, the “no such thing as a free lunch” theory to which I respond once more that even illegal immigrants pay taxes. What is your bottom-line? Do you have any realistic solutions to this issue? Do you have any recommendations for the U.S. government in addressing these and other issues?
The issue is incentivizing illegal immigration. Realistic solutions have to come at the state and federal levels. Stop offering resident college tuition. Stop issuing driver’s licenses. End birthright citizenship. Tighten employment verification procedures so we can reduce Social Security and identity fraud. H.R. 1196, the LEAVE Act, is an example of a bill that does this and more, instead of sending the message that illegal immigration will be tolerated pending passage of an amnesty bill.
Illegal immigrants do pay taxes, but absent an ITN number, they cannot pay income tax unless they commit fraud. The fact that they pay sales or any other tax is irrelevant to the issue of their status.
I do not believe the issue is incentivizing any more illegal immigration. The only measure not enforced at the moment from what you mentioned is birthright citizenship as it is protected by the constitution. The Arizona senate bill 1070 seems to be what you are hinting at, but how do you avoid profiling and discrimination when encountering “suspects” that are not transgressing any laws? How do you avoid police harassment towards certain ethnicities?
Nelson, no, I was not thinking of SB 1070. I suggested that we reduce incentives for illegal immigrants to come to and stay in the U.S. Supporters of immigration reform and legalization insist that enforcement must come from the federal level, but they have no problem with states that go in the other direction and make illegal immigration attractive by green lighting benefits. Public education is a huge benefit that our country offers to all comers, legal or not. We keep hearing from Washington that the schools are broke, but we also hear demands to pass the DREAM Act, which will further strain cash-strapped public colleges, not to mention high schools at which the DREAM Act has made attendance a prerequisite.
So I ask you the same question. How would you solve the problem?
Apparently NelsonJ believes that just because an illegal pays some tax that that gives them a pass to a free lunch. He completely misses the fact that they are breaking our immigration laws by illegally entering our country and that is a criminal act. Send them home and let them apply for a proper entry or green card. The birthright act was enacted to allow the slave children to be citizens, since they were brought here under duress. These illegals have broken our laws on purpose to drop their babies in our country and claim citizenship for them, which was not the intention of the constitutional birth act. Wake up America before it is too late.
I have no idea. I am not a politician, but as a concerned citizen I would seek options that would better everyones lifestyle and provide equal opportunity to reach the coveted american dream. I do admire you voicing your opinion, most americans chose not to exercise their right of freedom of speech in order to promote their moral and political values.
I can certainly appreciate that, Nelson. Thanks for contributing to the discussion!
Samuel you are an ignorant who doesn’t know anything you think they want to be here they are here because they are searching for a better place for their family and get here and get abused of by getting little payment but you don’t realize that there are msny poor countries and they have no way of surviving….and why do you say Spanish not all immigrants speak Spanish!…and you’re talking about us and saying that we are taking jobs and stuff from you when i doubt you will work your butt off to get little pay like they do in California picking the fruits and vegetables…and when i go downtown Chicago all i see are Africn Americans and Caucasians asking for money when they are citizens and if they wanted too they could get a job somewhere but are lazy….so think before you write…and! not every immigrant can get here legally!
and also you are probably Caucasian you guys weren’t here first Indians were and you guys stole their land so don’t give me any crap n this goes you too George…
and maybe you should learn Spanish too because it is one of the most spoken in the world not only English!!
and why are you so worried about this law it’s not the first one that has been broken there are many more why don’t you talk about the other issues?!
Well !!!! – I don’t blame immigrants for wanting a better life but right away they break our immigration laws by not coming here in the legal manner. They come across our border and expect our nation to provide a job, medical care, citizenship for children born here, an education, and the list goes on. All this is at our own citizens expense. Illegals march against us and our flag and this is the country they want to be a part of?
What is wrong with these people..The State is Broke….Unemployment rate getting higher all the time…Who is going to pay all these taxes? And the biggest question who is going to pay the 100,000 we owe for “our” sons College education…My Husband did his time in the Service..He works 6 days a week trying to keep us in a home..Not a new home an old ranch…No vacations for over 15 years..And now we are expected to pay for someones child here illegally from another Country to get a College Education? THIS IS NUTS….There comes a time in the future of a Country when it is time to stop thinking about everyone in the World and concentrate on your own….THAT TIME HAS COME PEOPLE LOOK AROUND YOU…..WE ARE GOING DOWN! WAKE UP
THIS IS NO Dream ……….it’s a freakin Nightmare….I am enraged…..
I don’t even want to go off on the Link cards……..Do you know we have multitudes of people here with 2000.00 on their link cards not our own people who need it because they are unemployed…Immigrants working our system like a well played hand of cards……My God wake up……………Demand responsibility from these idiots voting for all this stuff……Close Boarders NO MORE IMMIGRANTS at all…This is no longer the Land of the FREE…We are now slaves to illegal aliens, immigrants and the Governement….
Thanks, Jan, for commenting. I couldn’t agree with you more. It is interesting that the Illinois governor was recently slapped for trying to bail out of the Secure Communities program. A letter went out to states informing them that the program would continue, with or without their participation. Illegal immigrant supporters are worried that too many non-criminal or marginally criminal illegals are being tossed out with the criminals. Looks like we will start splitting hairs, deciding who is bad enough to deport, and who deserves to remain. How long will it be before we decide that criminal illegals get to stay, too, once they have served their sentences?
Jan – I couldn’t have said it better.
Thank you John………I find myself here today getting ready to send my son back to School..I again am physically sick and worried my husband will lose his job and then we will lose our house. The Government, and I, unlike some do not blame just President Obama…I blame years and years of Crooked Politics…All of us blinded and to busy working to stay on the tails of liars and crooks calling themselves a Representative of the Country…I wish it weren’t true..But it all seems so Hopeless doesn’t it? The give me and I do for you mentality of Politics is out of hand and will never change……
I feel for you Jan, raising a family with the uncertainty that the government has created. I am a Senior and my wife and I have seen our savings depleted each day with the stock market going down, down, down. We saved all our lives for our retirement and it is all being swept away. I worry for my children and grandchildren and how they will manage in the years ahead. Let’s hope that things will change before it is to late.
anyone that supports illegals by hiring them to avoid their own tax are idiots.the construction jobs are gone except for illegals .america wake up stop feeling sorry for them they stolen my way of living. i want my cont. jobs of 35 years back .I mean now ,before it is too late .these people that support them do not .there jobs are probably not jobs that illegals qualify or they would agree they have to go.or else we are all screwed .anyone that thinks we need them ,should move to mexico and take their place ,,by the I am married to an american hispanic for 25 years . she hates what is happening. If I continue to see illegals riding around in contr. trucks that say they are not hiring I will fight tooth and nail before my family is on the streets You young people are being suckered.
The president’s backdoor amnesty provides a pool of low-priced labor that no longer fears deportation, and competes with Americans for jobs. The good news is that there are still legislators who support state efforts to enforce laws that the White House has chosen to ignore. H.R. 2670, The Jobs for Americans Act, may interest you. More on that tomorrow. Best of luck to you, unemployed. You are correct. Obama supporters are being suckered.
People all around the world travel to the embassy and fill out the forms and wait in line for a chance to get to America.
The illegal immigrants are simply people who cut in line.
Why should we reward people who cut in line?
That is exactly right, Gary. Just because you want something does not give you license to take it. The president has tried to shame opponents of his immigration agenda by claiming we fear outsiders. What we oppose is a government that rewards those who cut in line.