According to the Migration Policy Institute, repealing the “birthright citizenship” given for U.S. born children of undocumented aliens would expand the unauthorized population by at least 5 million people over the next four decades. The report suggests that there would be 4.7 million immigrant children of undocumented parents as of 2050, compared to only 1 million U.S. born children of parents who are here legally. Even though this right is granted by the 14th Constitutional Amendment, some policymakers argue that removing it would be a measure that would discourage illegal immigration, coupled with the fact that it is also clear that a move like this would increase the size of the undocumented population significantly.
Fortunately, the buzz created by the repeal of the birthright citizenship is more likely to fizzle out than not. A measure of this sort would not only be arbitrary and discriminative, but would also likely limit the opportunities these children would have for occupational advancement through, say, upper education. That is an unfortunate fate many of the children who were brought to this country illegally face, especially because many of them have been here since they were very young and feel extremely American instead of foreign. It is estimated that out of the 3 million students who graduate from a U.S. high school each year there are approximately 65,000 of those who face a roadblock to their dreams since their chances of furthering their education and graduating from college; working in the country legally, and paying taxes; or even getting a driver’s license to drive are severely hindered just because they were brought to this country illegally or lost legal status along the way.
In an attempt to curtail the hemorrhaging of this injustice, Senators Orin Hatch and Richard Durbin pioneered the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, or DREAM Act for short, which is an attempt to streamline a pathway to citizenship for students. The bill is intended for those who are below the age of 35 and who were brought to the U.S. before they turned 16, while also having lived here continuously for 5 years, and who have either graduated from a U.S. high school or obtained a GED, and attend college or have enlisted in the military while also having no criminal record and being of good moral character. Although it does not grant in-state tuition or federal financial aid to any college student, it is meant to create equal opportunity for young immigrants to help realize their individual dreams.
Although the DREAM legislation is yet to be voted on, the overall message is clear: the country needs to acknowledge the undocumented population and prevent it from sinking further underground; instead, it needs to assure they are granted opportunities that are vital to their occupational advancement, which if left without, would only be detrimental to the economy, the national character, and the morale of this country and it’s inhabitants.
