CBS reports that the Senate is scheduled to vote on the Dream Act today. The House passed the legislation last night with 216 votes to 198. Interestingly, a few of those votes in favor were from 8 Republicans. CBS is predicting the legislation to be filibustered, but those 8 Republicans that crossed party lines could show some glimmer of hope. Jeff Sessions is one of the bill's strong critics, saying that the Dream Act does not solve what Americans want Congress to do--end the lawlessness of immigration. President Obama, on the other hand, praised the passing of the legislation in the House.
After talking about the Dream Act in class all semester, I have come to the conclusion I want it to pass. I think this legislation is a healthy compromise to the number of children stuck here and without any means to make a life back in their original country. That is one reason why I have never been able to support Republicans on immigration policy because they fail to look into the heart of the issue. The estimated 13 million illegal immigrants in this country are not some growing cancer that is going to destruct our society. These young immigrants who want to contribute to society, through serving or going to college, deserve a fair chance. I was a little offended by Jeff Sessions claiming he knows what Americans want and that want is only to enforce the law. I felt it was only a political ploy, and he truly does not speak for many Americans, like myself, that really want to see some sort of policy that addresses the complications to illegal immigration. These Republicans criticize amnesty, yet they offer no solutions. If they fail to compromise on immigration, they are not serving in American's best interests.
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