Teens Lobby Hill For New Immigration Bill

"Dream Act" Would Give Kids Of Illegal Immigrants A Path To Citizenship Through College Or The Military

(CBS)  In most ways, Juan and Alex Gomez appear to be typical American teenagers. You could even call Juan exceptional, graduating high school with nearly perfect grades and a promising college career ahead of him.

Last week the brothers woke up to the reality of how different they are, reports CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella.

The Gomez family was swept up in a pre-dawn immigration raid in Miami.

"That just took us by storm. We had no idea," said Juan.

The Gomez brothers are illegal immigrants, brought to the U.S. from Colombia by their parents when the boys were 2 and 3.

Asked if he remembers anything from Colombia, Juan says no. "We were too young — our most distant memories are from here."

So are their most loyal friends, teenagers who took the fight to stop the brothers' deportation to Congress this week.

"They're lobbying for Juan and Alex, and a bill called the Dream Act," said one teen.

"To help these brothers, but more importantly to help so many others, because we finally put a face on the problem," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., told the teens.

The Dream Act would give some 65,000 high school graduates who came to the U.S. illegally as children a path to citizenship by completing either two years of either college or military service. The bill has been around for years, but will come up again in September, and faces the same resistance from opponents of immigration reform, who call this "educational amnesty."

"Just because somebody may be smart doesn't mean they should be exempt from the law," says Rep. Brian Bilbray, R-Calif. "Just because somebody is liked a lot doesn't mean the laws should be broken or ignored."

"It was our parents that made the choices for us," says Alex. "Why should we be punished for their mistakes?"

Juan and Alex Gomez were given a reprieve from deportation until mid-September. If the Dream Act doesn't pass by then, they'll have to adjust to a new home in a country they can't even remember.

[emmac6]

What's really tragic is that it took 15 years to start deporting. Really, the government should've started deportation proceedings immediately so a case like this would not be an issue at all. That, is the fault of the US for being so slow with enforcing illegal immgiration.

[emmac6]

While their parents should absolutely be deported, it's harder to deport the children they should never have brought over in the first place, but are currently here. I don't think they should be granted citizenship just for graduating high school, but if they commit to enroll in the military for a certain amount of time, then they can apply, just like any other foreigner, for a green card and eventually citizenship. They, of course, should get in line behind everyone else. However, the fear of passing this kind of bill would be allowing more illegals incentives to come over. That's the last thing we need.

[cocoloco_46]

"It was our parents that made the choices for us. Why should we be punished for their mistakes?"

[cocoloco_46]

Some of the comments posted below are very ignorant and show how people omit opinions without reading the article. NO ONE TALKED ABOUT GIVING LEGALIZATION TO EVERYBODY. This is a problem that is present in our society ant just like this case, many children is brought to the United States without their consent by their parents. When these guys were 2 and 3 years old, they were not able to choose to come, they were brought. After so many years with perfect conduct and excellent academic records we want to kick them out.
The dream act is an excellent solution for this problem, it will give the chance for many high school graduates to continua and education, not only that, this act controls and ensures that they go to college or do military service. AS A COLLEGE STUDENT I APRECIATE MY EDUCATION, THAT%u2019S WHY WE SOULD NOT DESTROY THESE LIVES.

[spikeex]

Even if these people wanted to go back home and fix their government, the U.S. government would not like it. Ok, someone has to realize that wealth does not pop out of nowhere. If in any Latin American country people voted for someone that would actually benefit that country, that would probably not benefit the U.S. WHY ? Because gringos own many of the companies in those Latin American countries and when they decide to increase their wages (in those countries), white conservatives that are pro business say "hell no," "we don't want you to raise the wages in your country." The U.S. Government would then make sure that the person as president would either be assassinated or would sponsor a different political party to take over that government. The truth is that the U.S. is responsible for the poverty leave of those countries. And the low wages because the U.S. does not benefit from their having higher wages. And when presidents like Hugo Chavez take office the U.S. criticizes even his democratic decisions. I'm glad he has a lot of OIL. And that he is friends with Castro.

[azman80]

I'm surprised that with so much protesting from all the illegals that want to work and live free and to see them so mad at our government opposing having them hear is just amazing that they wont apply that same pressure to their government in Mexico or where ever they come from.
If I was to sneak in ANY country without a visa or some form of paperwork, I would go to jail. They want to come here and just be granted citizenship right away, what a joke! OUR, I take that back, THE government is a joke bigger than the Iraq war. Every one in it sucks in my opinion. They are changing the constitution and the laws to meet other peoples needs, not the American people.
www.rense.com**********************great site

[klingon69]

It's amazing what CBS will and won't allow comments on. I ws just reading in US about the UN employee who was using UN stationary to help illegals to enter the US by giving them a false Visa. Made it look like the UN was sponsering them. So much for National Security!

[klingon69]

It's amazing what CBS will and won't allow comments on. I ws just reading in US about the UN employee who was using UN stationary to help illegals to enter the US by giving them a false Visa. Made it look like the UN was sponsering them. So much for National Security!

[randaids]

Traitors generally face a firing squad, although that is too good for them.
Posted by tucanofulano at 01:53 PM : Aug 06, 2007

Firing squad is a little harsh don't you think?

[klingon69]

What?

[frankinaz]

That's all this country needs: Another incentive
and reward for those to illegally immigrate here. Its bad enough that the antiquated "Anchor Baby" law has not changed, illegal immigrants are allowed to trespass into this country and stay here, and now this. When will this country stop rewarding illegal immigrants for breaking the law? No wonder this problem is all but out of control!

[tucano2]

ANYONE who supports illegal aliens in any way whatsoever is a traitor to our country. Traitors generally face a firing squad, although that is too good for them.

[randaids]

And illegal aliens make the same, if not less picking grapes AND PAYING TAXES. So if you kick these people out will the people with the signs "will work for food" take those jobs, I think that it will be more likely that you take those jobs.
Posted by SpikeEx at 12:50 AM : Aug 06, 2007

Are you high? The only taxzes the farm workers may be paying is sales tax. Day laborer wages by definition are not atxed and not reported and just so you know, there is already a robust guestworker program to import from workers and has been since 1986.

[tucano2]

The article compares "apples and lemons".

[tucano2]

These so-called "kids" are criminals who ought to be provided with two government-sponsored items, (1) a one-way ticket out of our country, (2) a swift kick in the seat of their pants. Since their parents are also illegal aliens they too have got to go.

[randaids]

The same distaste for a group of people have been made against italians, germans, irish, polish, etc. Come on!! Just ask your grandparents about what they faced!

Posted by greyin at 11:09 PM : Aug 05, 2007

Yes it is true that many of out ancestors emigrated from European countries, legally, and yes many were worried about the influx at that time. However, these groups were not simply stepping over the border and certainly did not arrive in the percentages that illegals are arriving in today, from all countries.

Seems to me that you are comparing apples and oranges.

[klingon69]

*What if instead we look at the criminal record of those who have been in the U.S. for a long time, if they are of good moral character why not let them stay and let them continue to pay taxes.

Ok, first act on record, ILLEGALLY ENTERED US.
second: ILLEGALLY USED STOLEN/FAKE/FORGED IDENTIFICATION TO REMAIN IN COUNTRY.
third: USED ILLEGAL MEANS TO ACHEIVE AND MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT.

Shall I go on?

These people are not the ones begging for money by the freeway. I know what some of you are going to think, "they are on the freeway because illegal aliens have taken their jobs." BULL S***, they don't want to work, that's why they are on the f*** freeway. They make around $20,000 a year doing just that. And illegal aliens make the same, if not less picking grapes AND PAYING TAXES. So if you kick these people out will the people with the signs "will work for food" take those jobs, I think that it will be more likely that you take those jobs.
Posted by SpikeEx at 12:50 AM : Aug 06, 2007
We can't help that there are lazy shiftless people who would rather sit out with a sign and beg, than work. However, there are some who would like to work, who are finding their chances limited by the illegals who do take these jobs. It's not just picking fruits/vegs or lawncare anymore. More and more illegals are finding employment in manufacturing and construction.

[klingon69]

Posted by SpikeEx at 12:39 AM : Aug 06, 2007
Where is your data to back up these ridiculous assumptions?
If there is not application for people to come and pick fruits...etc, why are their legal migrant workers who (shockingly) pick fruits and vegs.

Now I don't believe that this makes them eligible to become citizens but they do pay taxes and feed to social security without any benefit. Now should they have the benifits no, but PLEASE realize that they are helping pay taxes and that they make up for them selves.
Posted by SpikeEx at 12:43 AM : Aug 06, 2007
Whatever pittance that they pay is more than outweighed by what they get. And now the government wants to give them more?

[klingon69]

Posted by SpikeEx at 11:40 PM : Aug 05, 2007
Spikey, I am Native American, well at least a portion is. What was done is the past, but like most liberals you'd search the crapper if you thought there might be some shred of hope of supporting your position. The majority of the Voting citizenry of this country do NOT want these illegals here. I don't give a good sheeeiiit, where they are from, what color, whatever. If they want to become citizens of the USA, there are rules/laws (hate those words don't you?)that have been in place and working quite well for some time now. That is how they can enter and stay, not by swimming a river, or crawling through a fence.

[michellem99-2009]

Dream Act..Their parents lied to them. Why did their Mum/Dad not tell them and be nationised so they be Amreican. Come here properly..Randy good point. I was born here,my parents were. They are NOT Americans even if they have our accent tho growing up here. They should not be able to raise their right paw or hand to join the armed forces as a means to gain being American. Go and get nationised. Then join.