Several months ago, I met a bright, young lady who had just completed high school but was unable to go to college or to work because of her illegal status. She was so talented that a potential employer was willing to sponsor her if there was any avenue available for her to become legal. 

This girl was brought by her undocumented parents to the United States when she was an infant. She has since been in the U.S. for her entire life. She knows no country but the U.S., where her friends, family and familiar surroundings are present. Yet, under today’s law, she can neither go to college, nor work legally. Worse, she is in constant fear of being detected by the immigration service and deported to a country that she has never known, and where she would have to live among people who are total strangers to her.   

It is incredible that we allow a group of potentially talented young individuals, who are ready and willing to learn and to contribute to our society, to be paralyzed in knowledge and productivity, when in all likelihood they will continue to reside in this country since they know of no other.  

Luckily, many decent Senators and members of Congress have introduced legislation (called the "Dream Act") that would allow students such as the lady I met to adjust their status within six years if they had entered the U.S. before the age of 16, have been here for over 5 years, have not got into trouble with the law, and either earn a degree from a U.S. institution of higher education, or serve honorably in the armed forces. Nothing in this act is a handout, as the students will need to pay tuition, just like any other student. This legislation has been introduced before in 2005 and again in 2006 but failed to become law. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) is expected to offer it again soon.  

Anyone reading this blog who believes in the wisdom of this legislation ought to call their Senator and request support for this bill. It will be a great disappointment if it fails to pass again. Our nation is known for its generosity to other nations. Its time to show generosity to some young students among us who are victims of their parents’ actions and who are caught up between the choices of continuing a life without hope, or be exiled to a place they have never known. 

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