DREAM Act 2010: GOP Filibuster About Defense Spending Bill

The 2010 DREAM Act is highly controversial.  The bill allows the children of illegal aliens to become US citizens provided they serve in the military or get a college degree.  The supporters of the DREAM act claim that its passage is only right, as the children of illegal immigrants – although illegal immigrants themselves – are only “victims” of their parents decisions.

They claim that passage of the DREAM Act is only “the right thing” to do.

Opponents of the act claim that it should not be the responsibility of the taxpayer to pay for the schooling of illegal immigrants, and that although it’s unfortunate that they do not have a legal status, the fact still remains that they are illegal.

There are a couple things that need to be explored.  First, would the passage of the DREAM Act actually bring over more illegal immigrants? Will parents illegally enter the country in hopes of giving their children a better life? Honestly, if I lived in a country where opportunities were limited, and I thought that by illegally entering another country with my child, that they could have the possibility of a better life…I’d do it in a heartbeat.  Chances are many will think that same way.

 The problem with the DREAM Act isn’t the act itself.  It was buried in a Defense spending bill.  The GOP filibuster isn’t directed simply at the DREAM Act. It impacts DADT, the DREAM Act, and many other provisions. The democrats want swift passage without debate, and Republicans want a chance to mull over the bill and make amendments. Therefore, the hopes of a DREAM Act passage aren’t too far fetched.

Immigration Reform 2010 - Arizona and Other States Fight for Immigration Law Changes

The immigration reform 2010 started with one state's quest to stand up and do something about illegal immigration.  Arizona passed a controversial law which makes it a criminal offense to be in the state without legal status.  Of course, the law is a mirror of the federal law that is already on the books, but is loosely enforced.

There are actually many Americans - both natural born citizens and legal immigrants who are tired of the illegal immigrants driving up crime rates, giving all immigrants a bad name, and abusing the social services available for tax paying citizens.

On the other hand, there are those who oppose reform, claiming that it will infringe on the rights of legal immigrants by subjecting them to racial profiling.  However, law enforcement cannot stop someone and ask about their immigration status unless they are investigating another issue.  For instance, responding to a domestic call or pulling someone over for speeding.

Arizona isn't the only state that wants to pass comprehensive reform.  (Although saying 'reform' isn't really what's going on - the laws are already there they just need to be enforced).  Other states such as Mississippi, Texas, Michigan - countless others - want the same law as Arizona's SB 1070.

So much will depend on the federal lawsuit pursued by the Obama administration.  If the federal government is successful, then enforcing immigration laws will be the responsibility of the federal government and states won't be allowed to do so.

Mississippi Immigration Law Considered: Controversial Arizona Immigration SB1070 SImilarities

Mississippi immigration law could be reformed similar to the controversial Arizona immigration law SB1070. Believe it or not, Mississippi has an illegal immigrant problem - perhaps not as bad as that of Arizona but it's still a problem that cost the state millions of dollars each year. Of course, the ability of Mississippi to pass comprehensive reform will depend largely on whether or not the federal government is successful in suing to block Arizona's SB1070.

Arizona's immigration law seeks to make it a criminal offense to be inside the state of Arizona illegally. Their law is basically a state version of the federal immigration law that is very loosely enforced.

Opponents of the measure claim that it will make racial profiling legal - or at least more commonplace. However, the law specifically states that law enforcement can only inquire about legal immigrant status while investigating another legal issue.

Many other states have voiced that they wish to enact immigration reform similar to that in Arizona. Other states include Nebraska, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Minnesota, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Georgia, and Texas as well as Arizona.

The states finally sticking up for themselves and trying to do something about lackadaisical federal enforcement of laws showcases that the Natural born Americans and legal immigrants have had enough of those allowed to sneak across the border.

Obama said that the state laws will make it so that immigrants can't even go get ice cream with their kids without the worry of having to justify their legal status. Such comments are mis-informing the public about the premise of the law. As stated before, the immigration law can only be enforced while another legal issue is being investigated.

Arizona Immigration Law SB1070 Challenged by Federal Government

The Arizona immigration law (SB1070) and reform has opened up a controversial rhetoric in the United States.  In fact, it's one of the few times in the history of the country where the Federal government has sued a state government.  The Feds claim that they have the sole responsibility to enforce immigration laws.

The Arizona laws mirrors the Federal law, and makes it illegal for someone to be present in the state without immigration paperwork. It's not a civil level of illegality - it's a criminal level that makes it possible for the state to actually deport someone.

Opponents of the law - the Federal Government included- state that the law opens up the possibility for racial profiling, which is something that Civil Rights leaders and activists are trying to avoid.

However, the state of Arizona and those who are for the law point out that law enforcement cannot demand immigration status proof unless someone is involved in another legal problem, crime, or has been pulled over.

If Arizona is successful in defeating the Fed's lawsuit, there are already other states lined up to make similar laws.  Many natural born Americans and also legal immigrants are for the bill, as illegal immigrants have become a problem in some Southwestern States.  Drug crimes, abuse of the social system, and driving wages down are all things that many cite as reasons why there should be a crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Arizona immigration law could be dubbed unconstitutional - then again, comprehensive reform may be coming down the pipelines.

Arizona Immigration Law 2010 - Federal Government Sues State to Block Immigration Reform

The Arizona Immigration Law SB 1070 2010 is a controversial state law, and the federal government is  suing the state government to block the enforcement of the controversial immigration reform.  What makes Arizona's immigration law so controversial? It criminalizes entering the state of Arizona illegally, and gives Law enforcement the right to inquire about immigration status if someone is involved in another issue.

Opponents think that the reform will promote racial profiling, and that it goes against the American way of treating people equally.

Those that are for the measure are tired of illegal immigrants working for less, abusing social programs, and  driving up crime rates.

Obama is against the reform, and the federal government is suing to block the state of Arizona.  The government believes that Arizona's law unconstitutionally usurps the authority of the government to enforce immigration law. However, some within Congress think that Arizona shouldn't be punished for enforcing laws that the federal government fails to enforce.

The Arizona Immigration law verdict will pave the way for how states deal with immigration.  Several other states have indicated that they would create laws that mirror those in the state of Arizona.  Immigration is something that frustrates many, and Arizona's stance is seen as a solution to their problems.

Will the responsibility of enforcing laws remain exclusively with the federal government, or will states be able to enforce the laws in their state?

Immigration Reform 2010 News: Democrats and Hesitation

Immigration reform 2010 is a hot issue for Obama, but democrats aren't standing as close to the president as they have with other political issues such as healthcare reform and unemployment extensions. President Obama wants to "punish" current "illegal" aliens by allowing them to become citizens, making them pay taxes and a fine, learn English, and get in the "back of the line" for citizenship.

This is supposed to be a "punishment" but there's a couple of questions - how can you enforce the payment of the fine and back taxes? Isn't this treatment pretty much giving the people who entered our borders illegally exactly what they wanted?

Such treatment angers many people who have been born and raised in America, therefore are voting citizens. Remember, citizens can vote - illegals can't. Therefore, politicians who rely on the voting public for their livelihood are going to stay more in line with what they want.

Comprehensive immigration reform will take a long time to work its way through the government. Something needs to be done especially after the nation was so divided after the Arizona immigration law was passed. What needs to be done hasn't been worked out.

Democrats are hesitating and staying close to Republicans on the issue. It could be because they are choosing their battles wisely, or it could be because Obama's suggestion isn't what they feel would be best for the voting public.

Expect immigration reform to be the next big battle in Washington, especially if Obama is elected to a second term and the issue hasn't been ironed out within the next couple of years.