CreateDebate


Debate Info

Debate Score:23
Arguments:18
Total Votes:24
More Stats

Argument Ratio

side graph
 
 Should the U.S. senate pass the dream act? (18)

Debate Creator

Cojo62(84) pic



Should the U.S. senate pass the dream act?

The DREAM Act has four basic requirements which are:

  • You entered the country before the age of 16;
  • You graduate high school or obtain a GED;
  • You have good moral character (no criminal record); and
  • You have at least five years of continuous presence in the US.

If you meet the above criteria, once the DREAM Act passes, you will then have six years within which to obtain a two-year college degree or complete two-years of military service.  Upon doing all of this you will gain the chance to adjust your conditional permanent residency to U.S. citizenship.

Add New Argument
2 points

I think it would be ok. If you are willing to work to prove that you want to be here, and don't expect a free ride then sure, why not?

The only problem I see with this situation is the parents of these children. It presents a sticky situation. But if they want to join the military for a couple of years and work toward it then I'm all for it.

Side: Sure why not
Cojo62(84) Disputed
1 point

I agree with your main point that those wanting to become Americans should indeed be given the opportunity if they are willing to pay for it (freedom is not free), but the problem here is that, illegal immigrants and those wanting in to the U.S. who don't have the money already have the means to do this in the current system... the dream act is giving rights to illegal immigrants, not a way in, if you've been here for 5 years and have sucked up the hard working americans tax dollars to get your GED you can now suck up some more (all while committing a crime) to go to college... that is what we are telling those here illegally now.

Side: Sure why not

Absolutely Not. Amnesty is not the way. What about those who came to America America legally? This will only encourage more illegal immigration.

Side: No
protazoa(427) Disputed
2 points

whatever happened to

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Immigration is immigration. Who are "americans", the vast majority are descendants of European immigrants.

In fact, the famous pilgrims on the Mayflower were illegal immigrants. They landed far south of their plotted course, and set up their settlement in an unauthorized zone.

So why do we celebrate their pilgrimage, and then people like you frown upon the pilgrimages of the modern era?

Side: No
Cojo62(84) Disputed
1 point

Immigration is immigration. Who are "americans", the vast majority are descendants of European immigrants.

Really... I mean really?! There is a BIG distinction between immigration, which I applaud, and illegal immigration which is wrong from a legal aspect at the very least... Under Title 8 Section 1325 illegal immigration, notice ILLEGAL, is stated as a crime. And no Americans are those with papers declaring them as such, I don't care if someone is black,white,red,yellow, mixed, whatever, if you do not become a citizen by legal means, and due proses.... then you are not an American.

In fact, the famous pilgrims on the Mayflower were illegal immigrants. They landed far south of their plotted course, and set up their settlement in an unauthorized zone.

What law did they break when they landed my friend? why were they illegal? illegal = not according to law...

and think about it... it was the uncharted plain...

So why do we celebrate their pilgrimage, and then people like you frown upon the pilgrimages of the modern era?

Oh... wow... when people celebrate the pilgrims coming to America, do they go "lets celebrate the unlawful entry of our ancestors entrance into the established country of America"? uh... yeah... no... it isn't called the "new world" anymore. 20th century pilgrimage as you describe it is a breach of U.S. law... if someone commits a crime they should not be rewarded. btw, how many pilgrims did you read of that carried dirty bombs, drugs, illegal weapons, and human slaves across to this fine country?

P.S. this is an issue I have strong feelings about, if some of the language/tone offends please note I am attacking the arguments strictly, I bet your just an awesome person who cares about people, that I just happen to vehemently disagree with on this point :).

Side: No

I would add that they also have to sink a 40 foot putt.

Nah. You cannot reward people for entering the country illegally, you're just asking for more of them.

If somebody broke into your house in the middle of the night, would you wake up the next morning and tell them they can stay in the spare room so long as they make the bed, wash the dishes end eventually help out with the mortgage?

It's ridiculous.

Side: No
protazoa(427) Disputed
1 point

Your analogy is simply not accurately reflecting the situation at hand.

America is not a house: we are a country of immigrants, not an isolated location

Allow me to offer a more accurate analogy

America, rather than a house, would be like a club.

With a very long line to get in.

the current clubbers would be the americans

the previous clubbers are locked in a closet

It is cold and raining outside.

There are people who need to get in to save themselves from getting sick/sicker

The bouncers will only allow people in if they can offer money.

Which means that those people outside, who could not afford an umbrella, cannot afford to get in.

Is it wrong to allow these people in need to enter the club, without pay, if they pay off their debt working at the club?

Side: No
1 point

You have good moral character (no criminal record)

Lol, I love this bill... "no criminal record"... If you've entered the U.S. illegally you've committed a crime!!! what hypocrisy!... someone just needs to grow some gahonees on capital hill and uphold the law as given by the United States federal government!

Side: absolutly not
casper3912(1581) Disputed
1 point

Did you or your parents commit a crime when they smuggled your family across the border?

Side: absolutly not
Cojo62(84) Disputed
1 point

#1... I am not an illegal alien... and will never be one... I am a U.S. citizen, and proud of it!

and #2 I've never seen the U.S.-Mexico border in person... though I've lived in WA and sometimes at times it's seemed like I've lived on it before :)... but if I and my family were smuggled across the border by some guy, then yesss! most assuredly we would have committed a crime! that is why it is called illegal immigration... it's amazes me how so many people don't get it... read your constitution and your U.S. code people!

Side: absolutly not
shazil888(1) Disputed
1 point

You are not understanding the basis of this bill. It says that you don't have a criminal record meaning you have never done anything illegal in the U.S. (This shows on a student's permanent record-even illegal immigrants) You are saying that these <16 year old "kids" who have been brought into the country with no choice should be punished. These kids are practically Americans who shouldn't be blamed for something that there parents did.

Side: absolutly not
Cojo62(84) Disputed
1 point

Ok, I get that, after looking at the text of the bill for a while that is absolutely the spirit of this bill... not passing this bill is by no means punishing the children here illegally, though... for example if a parent is in the store and a child wants a twenty dollar box of chocolates, if the parent says no is it because perhaps the baby was born out of wedlock? absolutely not... if we deny people here illegally millions and maybe billions of dollars in college funds we are by no means punishing them... we're just not plundering the pockets of Americans for people who aren't even here legally... this bill is just messed up.

Side: absolutly not