Opposition

Some people might argue that the DREAM Act will cause an immigration influx. However, this is impossible because the act clearly states that immigrants must have been at least 16 years old at the time of its enactment and lived here for at least 5 consecutive years. Thus disqualifying new immigrants. Also, the DREAM Act does not take away money from U.S. citizens because beneficiaries only qualify for student loans and federal work-study, not federal financial aid.

A more controversial issue is the idea that the DREAM Act discriminates against U.S. citizens who are charged out-of-state tuition when they attend a college outside of the state in which they grew up. I emphasize, however, that due to the students’ undocumented status, they cannot access the in-state tuition laws even though they live in those corresponding states. Therefore it’s not discrimination but an understanding of the injustice undocumented students have to overcome by having to pay out-of-state tuition without any help. Some critics might also say that this bill grants amnesty to people who were never held accountable for a crime that was committed, but we should not hold children accountable for the decision that their parents made—still, the DREAM Act covers this by having them pay a fine.