The Sins of their Fathers: Should Immigrant Children Be Penalized for their Parents’ Actions?

Abstract

The idea that someone with nothing can theoretically work hard, become educated, find success, and do it all on their own merits is part of the “American Dream.” Yet it is estimated that almost a million people will miss out on the American Dream over the next decade, not because of anything they’ve done, but because of the actions of their parents. The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act seeks to rectify that by giving illegal immigrants’ children, who had no choice in being brought into this country, legal residency status and in-state college tuition rates if they meet certain minimum requirements.

The DREAM Act would give illegal immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. temporary legal residency status that can turn into permanent residency status or even citizenship if they go to college or enter the U.S. military. Additionally, the DREAM Act would eliminate a federal regulation that currently penalizes states that offer in-state tuition without regard to immigration status.

 The entire article was published in the March, 2007 Student Aid Transcript.