NO MORE DREAM ACT??? :/

[sanchez05 37]

READ!

Two Republican senators in an attempt to hijack the Obama Comprehensive Immigration Reform process have introduced a watered down version of the DREAM Act and are calling it the ACHIEVE Act. While there are several differences between the two, the biggest one is that there is no path to citizenship. In other words, people who take advantage of the three types of visas (W1, W2, and W3) will be able to live permanently in the United States if they keep meeting certain conditions but would not be able to file for naturalization. This sort of status is common in many countries like France or Japan where even immigrants who spend their lifetime or even if they are born there can only hope for permanent residence and not citizenship.

So is the DREAM Act dead?

At this point, it is not clear what will happen to it, but experts agree that there are simply not enough votes to pass it in its current form. That is why ACHIEVE Act may very well become the starting point for legalization of illegal immigrants who entered the country when they were minors. I have been reading that some advocates for DREAMers are fiercely opposing ACHIEVE Act but I would caution the DREAMers not to fall in their trap of false hopes. The immigrant advocacy groups have their own agenda and they would rather be in business forever than have this issue go away making them lose their jobs from all the donations that they receive.

I think what DREAMers have to realize is that they do not want to end up in a situation that ACHIEVE Act is also killed because DREAM Act is not revived. In the end, DREAMers get nothing. It is much better to get some kind of legal status than to get nothing in the hope that a longer fight will make it eventually happen. Politics is unpredictable and in the 2014 mid-term elections, it could very well be that Democrats lose their majority in Senate too. It is very easy to kill legislation in Congress.

I have also noticed that many DREAMer groups are literally demanding citizenship and refusing to compromise. That only turns off Americans because there is not a lot of sympathy for lawbreakers in general. A long and nasty fight with an uncompromising attitude could even turn public opinion against illegal immigrants. That is why DREAMers need to emphasize upon their leaders to tone down the rhetoric and stop being so belligerent.

[Sinae 21]

Lovely post, Sanchez. Did you write this yourself or is this a post from somewhere else? I'm jut curious.

[sanchez05 37]

Info I wanted to share! I got it from here! http://www.dreamersare.us/2012/11/achieve-act-significance-undocumented.html

[itzel 336]

I really like your post and this is my opinion:

I am disappointed in thinking that every 2 years we'll have to pay the fee of 380 to renew our EAD. If the ACHIEVE act offers me the opportunity to stay in the country that I love and be able to work, go to school, and eventually raise a family, I have no problem accepting this act.

This is a political move, allowing us to have residency but not vote against the Republicans....

As Ive said before citizenship to me is like a brand new COACH purse, I want it but dont necessarily need it....

[JoseG 383]

This won't pass.

It was just thrown out there as a lame attempt by the Republicans to try to come off as the good guys that want to be on the Latinos side. If you read the requirements, you would see what I mean. It would take an eternity to get anywhere with the Achieve Act. This would basically give us a LONG pathway to Residency, instead of a pathway to Citizenship like the Dream Act would. We would have to get Visas with the Achieve Act and have to check in with DHS every 6 months.

This would take away our work permits until we get a degree or serve in the military! After about 8 years minimum you would be able to apply for Residency, at the back of the line. I'd rather keep DACA and renew every 2 years until Republicans and Democrats get together and work out something that would truly benefit us, not this.

Achieve Act in Detail

W-1 Status: Those with a W-1 nonimmigrant visa would attend school to earn a bachelor's, associate's, vocational/technical, or advanced degree, or serve in the U.S. military. A W-1 visa holder would have 6 years to get a degree or enlist to serve four years in the military.

To be eligible:

- Applicant must have lived in the United States for five years prior to enactment;

- Applicant must have entered the country before the age of 14;

- Applicant must have good moral character;

- Applicant must not have committed a felony, must not have committed more than one misdemeanor, must not have committed a crime of moral turpitude, and must not have a final order of removal pending;

- Applicant must have knowledge of the English language, of American history, and of principles of U.S. government;

- Applicant must be 28 or younger at the time of application (unless applicant is under 32 and possesses a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college at the time of application);

- Applicants pay an application fee;

- Applicants complete a medical exam and submit biometric and biographic data as part of a background check.

To maintain W-1 visa status, visa holders:

- Must check in every six months with the DHS, and be compliant with program requirements;

- Must not access public welfare benefits;

- Must not access federal student loans, or other federal benefits, but may work while in school

- Do not have access to a green card while here on the W-1 visa.

W-2 Status: After completing all W-1 education/military service requirements, a recipient can obtain a W-2 visa, which is a four-year nonimmigrant work visa (also allowed, study toward a master's degree or higher).

Criteria for obtaining W-2 status:

- Recipient must have earned a bachelor's, associate's, or vocational/technical degree in the U.S. while here on the W-1 visa or have served four years in the U.S. Armed Forces;

- Pay an application fee;

- Continue to meet W-1 criteria (no criminal record, check in with DHS, etc.).

W-3 Status: After completing four years of work while holding a W-2 visa, a recipient can then apply for a (permanent) nonimmigrant (no special pathway to citizenship) visa.

Criteria/conditions:

- Must have complied with all requirements/eligibility standards for W-1 and W-2 status;

- No eligibility for public welfare benefits;

- W-3 status renewable every four years;

- No new green cards are added in the Act, but a W-3 visa recipient could apply under current law to obtain one and get in line.

[amor 112]

Girl.. you NEED Coach.

kidding

[itzel 336]

lmao...true amor...true..

but youre right jose, now that I see the requirements for the ACHIEVE act Id be better off renewing every 2 years....

[Santi 353]

Baaah

The 'Achieve Act' is just an effort by a couple of retiring senators who advocate a 'piece-meal' approach to solve the issue at hand.

We, as DREAMERs, have the responsibility to demand that our current situation be taken seriously. We need to push for a path to citizenship, that way, we can also petition our parents/relatives. Many of these senators endorse an approach, which states that if you are a DREAMER, you can become a citizen by serving in the Military. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Personally, I don't like, nor support, warfare. I respect the decision of many to serve in the military, since I have a couple of friends that are currently in the armed forces. That being said, I believe the vast majority of the DREAMERS would be reluctant to join the Military. I would rather serve my country by creating jobs and paying taxes, than picking up a rifle or flying a drone.

Aside from that, some senators also say that through the Achieve Act (or similar acts that will be put forward in congress by the GOP), DREAMERS can pursue 'a vocational degree of some sort.' First of all, I find that disrespectful, and my reasoning follows: I understand that all of us have different circumstances that influence our decision making. Not any one situation is identical to the other. All of us have different needs and priorities. However, we have to keep in mind that We are DREAMERs for a reason! Some of us DREAM of becoming Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, etc. A vocational degree WILL NOT get you there...that is a fact. Some of these careers, and others, require an investment of many years in traditional universities. How do they expect us (as a whole) to achieve our dreams by placing a 'glass ceiling' in the type of education that we strive for?

I am seriously considering Suiting Up and going up there so they can hear me out. However, I am broke at the moment

The above comment represents my personal opinion, and in no way strives to generalize our perspective as a whole.

My two cents...

[Brookness 27]

GOP hasn't learned that we won't take any of there Micky Mouse bull$h!+!!!!! This isn't going to pass because the Latino will not let it pass.

[Santi 353]

GOP hasn't learned that we won't take any of there Micky Mouse bull$h!+!!!!! This isn't going to pass because the Latino will not let it pass.

I particularly like the reference to Mickey Mouse!

[Santi 353]

Baaah

The 'Achieve Act' is just an effort by a couple of retiring senators who advocate a 'piece-meal' approach to solve the issue at hand.

We, as DREAMERs, have the responsibility to demand that our current situation be taken seriously. We need to push for a path to citizenship, that way, we can also petition our parents/relatives. Many of these senators endorse an approach, which states that if you are a DREAMER, you can become a citizen by serving in the Military. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Personally, I don't like, nor support, warfare. I respect the decision of many to serve in the military, since I have a couple of friends that are currently in the armed forces. That being said, I believe the vast majority of the DREAMERS would be reluctant to join the Military. I would rather serve my country by creating jobs and paying taxes, than picking up a rifle or flying a drone.

Aside from that, some senators also say that through the Achieve Act (or similar acts that will be put forward in congress by the GOP), DREAMERS can pursue 'a vocational degree of some sort.' First of all, I find that disrespectful, and my reasoning follows: I understand that all of us have different circumstances that influence our decision making. Not any one situation is identical to the other. All of us have different needs and priorities. However, we have to keep in mind that We are DREAMERs for a reason! Some of us DREAM of becoming Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, etc. A vocational degree WILL NOT get you there...that is a fact. Some of these careers, and others, require an investment of many years in traditional universities. How do they expect us (as a whole) to achieve our dreams by placing a 'glass ceiling' in the type of education that we strive for?

I am seriously considering Suiting Up and going up there so they can hear me out. However, I am broke at the moment

The above comment represents my personal opinion, and in no way strives to generalize our perspective as a whole.

My two cents...

Also, remember that DREAMERs are not only Latinos, but also people from other countries in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa, among others.

[Lonewolf8951 33]

There's no way it would pass. Me being the optimist that I am though; I'm glad the GOP submitted something, however misguided it may be.But a pathway to citizenship is my ending goal. I've been studying for law enforcement but you need to be a citizen to join. The latino vote is one heavy swing now and some republicans are waking up to that. But they're going to have to compromise a whole lot more if any progress is going to be made. This Achieve Act is nothing close to what we need.

[REPutation 83]

I really like your post and this is my opinion:

I am disappointed in thinking that every 2 years we'll have to pay the fee of 380 to renew our EAD. If the ACHIEVE act offers me the opportunity to stay in the country that I love and be able to work, go to school, and eventually raise a family, I have no problem accepting this act.

This is a political move, allowing us to have residency but not vote against the Republicans....

As Ive said before citizenship to me is like a brand new COACH purse, I want it but dont necessarily need it....

No Itzel! settling for less is inexcusable! Not attaining citizenship, but residency is like saying, I rather be tied up in bondage and tortured then to be dead. There's people that have family to reach out and places to travel in the world. If anything pray. As a DAca applicant, this is not enough, but the start. All things are possible.