Looking for a Fresh New Start

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Illegal immigration has been an ongoing issue in the political arena for the past decade with immigration laws still being discussed. To immigrate means to come into a country of which one is not a native for permanent residence. The United States is a nation founded by people who emigrated on the principle of freedom. What would our forefathers think if there could see the issues facing their nation today? There are many issues surrounding immigration policy such as national security, border patrol, deportation, lack of jobs, and lower wages. The United States needs to adopt policies to further correct the current laws for legal and illegal immigration.

President Obama addressed the DREAM Act at The State of the Union last month urging lawmakers to approve the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is legislation drafted by both Republicans and Democrats that would give students who grew up in the United States a chance to contribute to our country’s well-being by serving in the U.S. armed forces or pursuing a higher education. The DREAM Act was passed in December 2010 by the House of Representatives with a vote of 216- 198 but in the Senate the DREAM act did not gain enough votes to break the Republican filibuster at 55 of 60 votes (Stolz 16). Obama recently said, “We need five more years to reform an immigration system that doesn't work and make sure that we are a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants” (Schwandt). Texas became the first state to allow undocumented students to attend Texas universities and be able to pay instate tuition. The first group of the students graduated from college since the law was enacted in 2001, although these students still cannot work because they are undocumented. Thus, the passage of the DREAM Act bec...

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...Facets Of Effective Immigration Reform." Society 47.2 (2010): 110-

117. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

Hines, Barbara. "An Overview Of U.S. Immigration Law And Policy Since 9/11." Texas

Hispanic Journal Of Law & Policy 12.1 (2006): 9-28. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

Kerwin, Donald, and James Ziglar. "Fixing Immigration. (Cover Story)." America

205.18 (2011): 12-15. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

Krikorian, Mark. "To Reform Immigration, Legal And Illegal." National Review 63.15 (2011):

36-37. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

Stolz, Rich. "Lessons For The Future Of Immigration Reform." Social Policy 41.3 (2011): 4

19. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

Schwandt, Kimberly. "President Obama Confident He's Got Five More Years in White House –

Fox News." America's Election HQ. Web. 23 Feb. 2012.

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