Students "Dream" at Rutgers

The following article appeared on the "Page One" section of dailytargum.com. It was written by Cassie Bobotas, Acting Associate News Editor.

Faced with sufficient internal opposition, the Rutgers University Student Assembly passed a bill Thursday urging Congress to pass an amendment allowing children of illegal immigrants better chances of attaining permanent residency and higher education.

"It offers an opportunity to these students who don't have a chance, at this point, to be fully contributing members of our society," said Christopher Keating, a Rutgers College junior. "The children of undocumented immigrants shouldn't be punished for crimes their parents committed."

The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, better known as the "Dream Act," originally entered the Senate in 2003 as a way for undocumented students to pursue a degree at a public institution for at least two years while paying the more affordable in-state costs. But since it has come up again, it is now in need of as much support as possible, as its fate will be decided by Nov. 16 of this year.

This amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 states that on the successful completion of high school, undocumented students who came to the United States under the age of 16 and have displayed moral character will be able to attain permanent residency in six years if they either join the U.S. military or attend a higher institution for two years.

On the passage of the amendment, these students would also be eligible to receive previously unavailable benefits such as federal student loans and federal work-study.

As the RUSA Legislative Affairs Chair, Keating said he wrote the resolution in favor of the amendment because it now has its best chance to move through the senate, with support from the likes of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., and he wanted to get the University behind it as well.

"I know the voice of the University students and [RUSA] will only do so much, but at the same time, it's still significant," Keating said.

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Students at Rutgers are proving that, no matter how loud you are, your voice is still important. No matter your beliefs, one of the most essential qualities of a good leader is to be able to discuss and debate those beliefs with anyone and everyone that you meet.

Let us know what you think! E-mail us or comment on this post to talk about the students at Rutgers, or about your own efforts to stand up for what you believe in.