I am trying to understand and fight in my mind whether to support DREAM ACT or not. I traveled to US on student visa back in 2004, and since then I have been striving to keep myself legalize. Not only Me, but many others just like me; their families spent tens and thousands of dollars on tuition and boarding fees, in hope of a better future and opportunities.
Since 2004 I have seen many changes in the legal system, several acts passed and rejected. But when it comes to immigration reformation; first thing that comes to my mind is that is so unfair and I am sure it is not only me. Everyone who has been in my shoes would agree on that, For us, legal immigrants government is creating more hurdles and posing high restrictions, whereas, illegal immigrants get to win the race.
We, legal immigrants, have bunch of processes and have to pass so many departments and law in order to get even a renewed license. Family based green cards, employment based green cards, etc all take several and several of years and decades to get approved; On the other hand, these illegal immigrants who did not followed the proper medium to enter the United States, or who stopped going to college and are out of status, they get to win this race that a legal immigrant deserves more.
It is not easy to finish undergrad and then grad school by paying out of state fees, As an international student, they are not permitted to work out of campus, so tuition, fees, and boarding is basically paid by their families. They are not offered any kind of financial aid; I am not completely against DREAM ACT, it is fair to those people who were brought to United States by their parents and poor kids are have identity crisis; But along with making illegal legalize, there should be more opportunities and processes for legal immigrants should be treated as a premium processing.