745 new laws in California set to affect all residents

Happy New Year Californians; just when you thought the giving season was over state legislators have another gift for you—new laws.

According to the state’s website, Californians need to review 51 pages containing 745 new laws passed and signed by the Democrat-run Assembly, Senate and Governor’s office.

Some highlights include; The California DREAM Act—illegal immigrants will now be allowed to attend college AND are eligible for taxpayer grant money to pay for tuition and books. Once Governor Jerry Brown signed the DREAM Act into law, a rigorous recall effort has ensued. The effort was spearheaded by Republicans who complain that California colleges face a projected $100 million in recessionary cuts and need to assist citizens first.

Another new law concerns gay rights'. All public schools in California, (many rank near the bottom of the list education-wise compared to other states), will have to teach K-12 students about gay history and rights. This is another controversial law that opponents want to repeal on the 2012 ballot.

Some equally onerous laws come at the expense of residents; restaurants will no longer be allowed to serve shark fin soup; minors can no longer head to the tanning salon for a quick fake bake; gun owners will no longer be able to carry their unloaded weapon outside their homes; the state can no longer sell beer that contains caffeine; residents can no longer sell/give live pets (kittens and puppies) on any street or parking lot.

Now it’s a crime to trick senior citizens into voting differently than they intended. (Wasn’t this an ACORN problem?)

With Obamacare requirements ramping up in California, state lawmakers added more rules and regulations for healthcare providers in the Golden State. Some notables include; no parental consent will be required for girls 12-17 seeking preventive sexually transmitted diseases treatment; all insurance companies must include maternity coverage; insurance companies must provide four months of maternity leave; health care providers must offer behavioral treatment; and child care providers can no longer offer any sugary beverages—for example children are allowed only one juice drink per day, only one percent milk and no artificially-sweetened drinks.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP), who is responsible for roadway safety, said drivers should read over the new driving requirements listed here (new CHP driving laws) “Our hope is by educating the public of these new traffic safety laws in advance, more lives will be saved in the new year,” said Commissioner of the CHP, Joe Farrow.

Some highlights include; Children must ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight. Drivers are required to stop at a sobriety checkpoint. However, peace officers will be prohibited from impounding a vehicle for 30 days if the only offense by the driver is failing to hold a valid driver license (something illegals are caught doing frequently).

Drivers looking to ease their reckless driving restrictions can install of an Ignition Interlock Device in their vehicle. The CHP added Section 23579 to the Vehicle Code, and authorizes courts to revoke a driver’s license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUIs.

Californians can now rest knowing their lawmakers recognize exactly how children should be raised, how to shop and what businesses offer only the best for its customers.

Sounds like paradise.

For a list of new laws around the country; http://www.ncsl.org/?tabid=23989

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

California Governor signs DREAM Act to give taxpayer money to illegal immigrants

California Governor Jerry Brown finally signed the Golden State's version of the DREAM Act.

Part two of the controversial bill will release taxpayer money to illegal aliens seeking to attend public colleges without proving their immigration status to financial aid offices.

The move will allow prospective illegal alien students to compete with American citizens for precious college financial aid.

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California’s taxpayer-funded version of the DREAM Act inched closer to reality as it leaped out of the state Senate 22-11 along party-line votes.

The legislation now moves back to the assembly to reconcile changes and is expected to pass solely on Democratic votes. From there it will head to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for the expected signature.
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The legislation would allow illegal aliens to apply for public financial aid for college tuition forcing American citizens to compete for precious college funding. Some of the coveted financial aid programs that would open up to illegal aliens include; Cal Grants, college grants and community college assistance.

The Golden State’s analysis of the legislation found AB 131 has a $40 million price tag and is expected to take effect just after the 2012 elections.

A few weeks ago AB 130, a bill that allowed illegal aliens to accept private financial aid, passed through the California legislature and was signed by the governor.
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California’s disgraced Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed similar bills during the past eight years, but the state’s anomaly during the 2010 election cycle essentially gave Democrats power of all branches of government, something that ensured the Golden State would lead the country where President Obama failed.

Anti-DREAM Act activist vowed to voice their concern and launch a recall effort.

One group taking calls from angry Californians’ is Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said; “We have spoken to people in Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego and they are all talking about the‘re-call’ if AB 131 becomes law. We recalled Davis and we can recall Brown!”

Activists like FAIR say they haven’t heard this much fervor from California residents in years.

In 2003, former-Democrat Governor Gray Davis lost a recall fight over huge deficit-spending irked voters. Lucky Californian’s were then treated to seven years of Governor Schwarzenegger.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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Taxpayer money for California DREAM Act near reality-sparks talks of a recall

California’s taxpayer-funded version of the DREAM Act inched closer to reality as it leaped out of the state Senate 22-11 along party-line votes.

The legislation now moves back to the assembly to reconcile changes and is expected to pass solely on Democratic votes. From there it will head to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for the expected signature.

The legislation would allow illegal aliens to apply for public financial aid for college tuition forcing American citizens to compete for precious college funding. Some of the coveted financial aid programs that would open up to illegal aliens include; Cal Grants, college grants and community college assistance.

The Golden State’s analysis of the legislation found AB 131 has a $40 million price tag and is expected to take effect just after the 2012 elections.

A few weeks ago AB 130, a bill that allowed illegal aliens to accept private financial aid, passed through the California legislature and was signed by the governor.
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California’s disgraced Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed similar bills during the past eight years, but the state’s anomaly during the 2010 election cycle essentially gave Democrats power of all branches of government, something that ensured the Golden State would lead the country where President Obama failed.

Anti-DREAM Act activist vowed to voice their concern and launch a recall effort.

One group taking calls from angry Californians’ is Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) said; “We have spoken to people in Fresno, Sacramento, Los Angeles and San Diego and they are all talking about the‘re-call’ if AB 131 becomes law. We recalled Davis and we can recall Brown!”

Activists like FAIR say they haven’t heard this much fervor from California residents in years.

In 2003, former-Democrat Governor Gray Davis lost a recall fight over huge deficit-spending irked voters. Lucky Californian’s were then treated to seven years of Governor Schwarzenegger.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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California’s DREAM Act part 2- public assistance expected to clear Senate

Part two of California’s DREAM Act that seeks to provide financial aid for illegal aliens hits the Senate floor. The controversial DREAM Act legislation is expected to pass along party lines that heavily favor Democrats.

AB 131 is sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and proposes illegal alien students can compete for the $40 million in public financial aid like Cal Grants and other fee waivers.

Earlier this year, California Governor Jerry Brown signed part one of the (DREAM ACT) college package AB 130 into law. This law granted illegal alien students access to the state’s $88 million in private financial aid.

As uncertain economic conditions persist, illegal alien access to taxpayer money is sure to create much more opposition. “I struggle to stay in college and depend on financial-aid packages,” said Emily Sanchez, a California State student. “We should not be offering money to those in country illegally before every American student who wants to go to college- period.”

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Los Angeles City Council votes to make August “Immigrant Pride Month”

All council members present decided the city’s 1.6 million immigrants that make up 40 percent of the population deserved to be recognized.

The resolution deems Los Angeles a “global city” that represents many cultures and languages. In the past, the city has also voiced its disapproval of Arizona’s adoption of SB1070 as well as other copycat illegal immigration laws springing up in many other states.

“Anti-immigrant legislation like SB 1070 in Arizona and other ‘copy-cat’ measures now circulating across the nation inherently cause racial profiling and discrimination against certain ethno-racial groups that 'look and sound' like immigrant populations,” the resolution reads.

Los Angeles Council members have recognized several pro-immigrant advocates in California who are actively engaged to repeal Arizona's anti-immigrant laws, as well as prevent anti-immigrant legislation from passing in other states as a reason to adopt the resolution.
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The council clearly indicated they supported the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act even though it failed at the federal level last year during the lame-duck session in Congress.

“In 2011 important efforts are unfolding in California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and other states to enact pro-immigrant policies, as well as withdraw from ineffective and/or heavy-handed federal enforcement polices like Secure Communities.”

However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) just announced they are rescinding the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) on Secure Communities with states like California, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts that want to withdraw from the program. DHS maintains that the Secure Communities program is mandated by federal law and said it will implement the program nationwide by 2013.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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Dems push the DREAM Act and use passage as a carrot for entitlement reform

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin (D) encouraged Republicans to consider passage of the DREAM Act as a good faith down payment on immigration reform; one that could lead Democrats towards meaningful entitlement reform he said.

Durbin told Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ) on Fox Sunday News program that if the GOP passed the DREAM Act, Democrats would be more willing to talk about reducing the country’s spending habit. In other words, Republicans would give amnesty to illegal aliens in exchange Democrats would go along with some spending cuts. The stuff smoked-filled back rooms are made of.

The reintroduction of the DREAM Act comes after the President made a trip to the Texas/Mexico border last week and berated Republicans for moving the goal post and needing a moat with alligators in order to move forward with comprehensive immigration reform.

Republicans argue that Obama’s idea of immigration reform is nothing more than amnesty and future Democratic voters. Republican lawmakers on the Hill predict the bill will go nowhere because the Congress must focus on increasing the country’s deficit, passing a 2012 budget as well as implementing meaningful cuts to reduce the nation’s ballooning $14 trillion deficit.

However, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, that would grant millions of illegal immigrants in the country amnesty is a dream that never dies for those on the left. The Democrats simplistic plan says that offering illegal children a college education or the option to join the military as a means to join the legal immigration ranks will be an economic boom for the U.S.

Others, like Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) disagree.

“It (the DREAM Act) grants illegal aliens ‘conditional’ permanent resident status upon the receipt of a high school diploma, or simply enrolling in a college program or the military grants aliens normal LPR status (green cards) upon finishing two years of college or service in the military—requirements the Obama Administration can waive. It also authorizes states to give illegal aliens in-state tuition so that your tax dollars will openly be subsidizing illegal immigration; and it makes newly amnestied aliens eligible for numerous taxpayer-funded student loan programs,” FAIR contends.

Some states, including in Illinois and California, have already passed initiatives to help illegal young people to finance college. Both these states are facing billion dollar deficits because a large part of their population resides in the country illegally. They also have well-paid education employees.

According to the San Diego Tribune, “The average district teacher receives more than $64,000 a year, 27 percent more that the median salary in San Diego County, and gets 16 weeks of paid time off. This teacher also gets a 10 percent annual contribution to retirement from the district and state; automatic raises based on years on the job and for additional education; and pays nothing for health insurance, including for his or her dependents, with just $10 medical co-pays. Teachers also get tenure after only two years of employment, with a cursory employment review every five years.”
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Raise your hand if you want to be a teacher.

Programs to assist Latinos in college already exist

The CA Political News reported that, “The federally funded College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), thrives at the California State Universities as well as across the country. CAMP describes itself as ‘a supportive service program that provides recruitment, academic, personal, career, cultural, leadership and retention services.’”

The program is only open to potential university students whose parents have worked in agriculture for at least 75 days during the past two years.

“Why are these kids more worthy of solicitude than, say, children of factory workers? Because farm workers are mostly Mexican, of course,” CA Political News post says.

They contend that programs like CAMP ensure that universities increase its Hispanic student population, and provide statistical proof that “social justice” is practiced on college campuses.

“This obsession with ethnic and racial diversity perverts the traditional idea of a liberal education and aggressively pursuing a superficial diversity of skin tones or surnames means lowering admission and evaluation standards in order to achieve the desired ethnic and racial mix,” City Journal’s Bruce Thornton said. “Hence the CAMP program offers its clients ‘academic’ and ‘retention’ services, which shepherd the underprepared through their courses to graduation.”

DREAMs future

During the lame duck session last year, five Senate Democrats voted against the DREAM Act and there is no guarantee that they will flip their vote if the legislation makes its way through Congress.

The DREAM Act died last December by a vote of 55-41 and many lawmakers on either side of the aisle say they won’t tackle the divisive amnesty issue during the 2012 election cycle.

Durbin says, “We're not giving up," on the DREAM Act. "We should not punish children for the actions of their parents. That isn't what the American people want us to do. It isn't the American way."

Just like the movie Friday the 13th and its endless sequels, the DREAM act seems to be one of those pieces of legislation that is taken off the shelf, dusted off and put in front of lawmakers when pandering to Latinos reaches a boiling point.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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Calfornia madness continues- free college for illegals

California is broke. It owes more than $25 billion, businesses and residents are fleeing like dine-and-dash customers to less taxed states; this financial catastrophe is leaving a gaping spending and revenue problem for the Golden State.

Rational lawmakers would see the writing on the wall and start cutting the budget line by line. However, adding insult to injury, one California lawmaker thinks the state should allow illegal aliens to apply and receive dwindling financial aid for colleges.

Only in America would Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, (D-Los Angeles) introduce legislation (AB130 and AB131) that would place illegal aliens on a level playing field with residents who have lived and paid taxes in sunny California.

Californians are struggling to stay afloat during the state’s lingering recession that teeters on the brink of financial collapse. Despite the looming financial meltdown lawmakers continue to introduce legislation that punishes legal residents and aids illegal alien students. Both AB130 and AB131 bills increase the number of illegal alien students who are exempt from paying nonresident college tuition.

Cedillo says it’s no big deal but he is very wrong, after a two-day college budget summit, the University of California regents came to the conclusion that serious changes are on the horizon.

The UC colleges (not the state colleges which are facing identical challenges) said the new cuts equate to a 16.4 percent reduction of state support, an 8 percent tuition increase, and nearly half of the UC financial aid as well as 80 percent of student services funding will see cutbacks.

Additionally, 22,000 out-of-state students will gain preference over residents and the UC College regents say they will have to cut 50,000 students beginning this fall semester.

According to activist groups, AB131 legislation would penalize citizens or legal immigrant students by reducing the financial aid available to them and blurs the lines between those who are here legally and those who broke federal immigration laws.

In the past California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, vetoed similar bills, but it appears newly-elected Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat, has indicated he supports giving financial aid to illegal alien students and will sign the legislation.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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La Raza targets lawmakers who voted against the DREAM Act

The National Council of La Raza (NCLA) announced it will begin a new ad campaign targeting those lawmakers who voted against the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors) during last year’s lame duck Congressional session.

La Raza (the race in Spanish) launched an online and print ad campaign named “We Will Not Forget.”

The campaign will serve as a reminder to voters that Congress members of both parties voted against the DREAM Act and Latino organizations were watching.

The ads will be running in Spanish-language newspapers in some states as well as select online websites in both English and Spanish.

The big red poster is downloadable and includes the pictures of all lawmakers who did not support illegal aliens’ children’s right to amnesty and qualify them for in-state college tuition. La Raza hopes supporters will download the poster and put it on their refrigerator to serve as a daily reminder.

“As we move into the new Congress and work toward advancing important legislation for our community, it’s crucial not to forget what happened in the lame duck session of 2010,” said Laura Vazquez of La Raza. “The ‘DREAM Act’ was an important measure of support for our community and we need to remember who stood with us and who turned their backs on us.”

To view the ad; http://www.nclr.org/images/uploads/pages/DREAMAdEng.pdf

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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A nation of dummies? NYU study says college students aren't learning

According to a recent study by New York University, approximately half of college freshman and sophomores show little academic gains- researchers concluded these non-learning students were more focused on their social activities.

The report also pointed out that college professors tend to focus on their own research rather than teaching incoming students and undergrads typically studied 50 percent less than college graduates a few decades ago.

The book that included the study, Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses’ author, Richard Arum of NYU says "These are really kind of shocking, disturbing numbers."

A chart indicates that college students spend 51 percent of their week socializing. That is followed by sleeping, 24 percent; working, volunteering, student clubs and attending class, nine percent. The report concluded that students allocated the least amount of their time studying, seven percent or 23 hours.

More than 3,000 students participated in the Collegiate Learning Assessment, a standardized test that measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning as well as writing skills.

Once students completed four years of college only 36 percent of those tested showed improvement.

Arum said the students who participated in this study had a 3.2 grade-point average. However he pointed out that “students are able to navigate through the system quite well with little effort.”

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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Want to go to college? Not in California

California’s budget crisis will now be handled by adults according to newly-minted and former California Governor Jerry Brown. Nothing is off the table Brown said- except those who have collective bargaining contracts. That grown-up budget conversation came at the expense of the state’s coveted higher-education programs.

The billion-dollar cuts shocked college administrators and prompted warnings to high school seniors it will get a whole lot tougher to attend a University California like (UCLA) or any California State college.

Brown's new budget proposals include $12.5 billion in overall spending cuts, including $1 billion for the California University campuses.

“These cuts will be painful, requiring sacrifice from every sector of the state, but we have no choice,” Brown said. “For 10 years, we've had budget gimmicks and tricks that pushed us deep into debt. We must now return California to fiscal responsibility and get our state on the road to economic recovery and job growth.”

Charles Reed, the chancellor of the Long Beach-based CSU, said the proposed budget amounts to an 18 percent decrease in state funding for universities. This proposal, if passed by the state Legislature would take college spending back to the levels of 1999-2000. California universities currently educate roughly 70,000 more students than it did a decade ago.

“The magnitude of the budget reduction in one year will have serious impacts on the state’s economy, limit access for students seeking entrance into our universities and restrict classes and services for our current students,'” Reed explained.

Reed said universities have already raised tuition and employed furloughs, but it’s not enough.

“We will work with the administration and the Legislature to minimize, as much as possible, impact to students,” he said. “However, the reality is that we will not be able to admit as many students as we had been planning for this fall.”

Questions will surely mount as the state Legislature passed a DREAM Act law of their own. Arguments against the bill came from those who said citizens would have to compete for university slots with illegal aliens. However, proposed cuts will surely lead to more competition because colleges will be forced to reduce incoming students.

University of California President Mark Yudof called the proposed budget “a sad day for California.”

He continued to explain that “the budget proposed by Gov. Brown, the collective tuition payments made by University of California students for the first time in history would exceed what the state contributes to the system's general fund. The crossing of this threshold transcends mere symbolism and should be profoundly disturbing to all Californians.”

Yudof explained the chancellors of UCLA and other UC campuses will have six weeks to develop plans to meet the proposed budget reduction. “With the governor's budget, as proposed, we will be digging deep into bone,” he said. “The physics of the situation cannot be denied, as the core budget shrinks, so must the university.”

For the meantime Brown left K-12 education alone and said they have already sacrificed pay in the last few years under Schwarzenegger. Brown claims he will seek a June special election to increase California’s income and sales taxes, including the state’s vehicle license fees.

Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, D-Van Nuys, said the panel will start reviewing Brown’s proposed budget on this week.

“Brown's call for change doesn't hold anything back,” he says. “His vision acknowledges that we are long past a debate about cuts and taxes. California government must be restructured in order to be more responsive and cost-effective.”

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

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Want a false Social Security card? There’s a blog for that

"Only in America" part one...

Did the DREAM Act not go your way? Are you looking to skirt the law? Then head to the DREAM Act Portal. DAP is an immigration advocacy website that not only encourages political activism, but the forum actually details how to get a fraudulent Social Security card.

But that’s not all they also dole out advice regarding employers who won’t look at the actual Social Security card and where to buy a fake one in Los Angeles.

Now that the DREAM Act is dead, those in the country illegally are busy assisting others with the do’s and don’ts of job hunting without a real Social Security card.

Here are samplings of the posts found at DAP;

“Originally posted by bonescones if you came through a visa it is likely that you will have a valid social security number, only problem is that it is stamped "not valid for employment." so if your employer wants to see the actual card, this could be a problem .If they only ask for the number, you may be able to get by. If they use e-verify, I’m not sure what would happen.

Originally posted by ciscox3

Yeah, it's too bad you are not Hispanic or even better Mexican... we pretty much got this whole underground thing covered, with whole communities dedicated to the struggle and everything.

I'm considering getting a fake SSC but using my real number. My actual card has "not valid for employment" printed on it so it is useless. Does anyone know if this will pass e-verify?

Originally Posted by Dreamer X

Go to LA around MacArthur Park they can make you one for like...$100

If you have a SSN, even if it says "not valid for work", just simply transfer that number to clean card. You just need to know the right people to get a clean card. Besides that, you can just simply show your high school ID or passport, as a second ID. But, make your passport as the very last option.

Second: stay away from large chain-stores. Usually those stores follow a stricter hiring procedure in hiring people, they literally do background checks on you before hiring you. Try to find a place that is privately owned, like restaurants, family- run businesses; they are usually lenient in hiring people.

Also, try to stay away from places that have lots of immigrant (illegal) workers. Usually there's snitches around that hate on immigrants and just call ICE to raid the place.

Last edited by XoZuBo : 12-23-2010 at 05:20 AM.

Originally Posted by XoZuBo

I actually did that. I got a fake SS card, put the real number on it without that "not valid for employment" and since then, I've been showing that around. Most places just hired me instantly without any questions.

To view the blog for yourself click here; http://dreamact.info/forum/showthread.php?t=19350

“Only in America” is a new series of stories that will focus on the crazy happenings in America, if you have a suggestion or tip email; Kimberly.dvorak@cox.net all stories will be verified before publication and attribution to tipster posted unless otherwise requested.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rig

DREAM Act dies a quiet death in the lame duck

On a rare Saturday lame duck session the Senate voted to kill the DREAM Act- ending Democrats bid to give tuition breaks and amnesty to children of undocumented immigrants.

The vote this morning fell short of the 60 votes required (55-41) and witnessed Democrat defections.

The passionate floor debate by Democrats failed to resonate with emboldened Republicans .

Now immigration advocates will most likely have to wait another year before they get a chance to reform a broken program.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

DREAM Act has a date with destiny- Saturday

After pulling the trillion-dollar Omnibus package from the Senate floor last night, Harry Reid (D-NV) announced the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education of Alien Minors) will be voted on during a Saturday Senate session.

Lawmakers on both sides are gearing up for an-all out battle.

“The Senate’s consideration of the DREAM Act is absolutely ridiculous and illustrates exactly why Americans are frustrated with their government. This is too important a policy to address during a lame duck session of Congress, not to mention the bill itself is an insult to every person going through the immigration process legally. When President Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi get serious about immigration reform, Congressman Bilbray and the bipartisan Immigration Reform Caucus are prepared to meet with them,” said Travis Considine, director of communications for Congressman. Bilbray (R-CA).

However, the other side believes their arguments are more compelling than conventional wisdom.

“Allowing immigrant students to continue their education and achieve their potential will boost the economy and result in higher tax revenues. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has found that the DREAM Act ‘would reduce deficits by about $2.2 billion over the 2011-2020 period.’ Over the course of their working lives, these young people will generate between $1.4 and $3.6 trillion for the economy. Deporting them will increase the deficit by many billions of dollars,” National Immigration Forum said.

However, the organization fails to note the DREAM Act will cost taxpayers $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies, according to Center for Immigration Studies.

After the historic November elections politicians were introduced to the Tea Party movement and will, at least, consider their positions on a broad spectrum of policy issues, including amnesty.

The SoCal Patriot Coalition (SCPC), which umbrellas 30 different Tea Party groups had a lot to say about the DREAM Act legislation.

“The DREAM Act would grant legalization and protected status to millions of illegal aliens at a time of record economic turmoil and unemployment in the U.S. We also have a deadly drug war raging on our southern border highlighted again this week with the brutal murder of Border Patrol agent in Arizona by heavily armed Mexican smugglers, at least one of whom was a twice deported Mexican drug cartel member,” the group said.

“An estimated one million illegal aliens have returned to their home countries over the past few years. Some of them will now apply and wait to enter the U.S. legally. We applaud these foreigners for complying with U.S. laws and returning to their countries of residence. We encourage all remaining illegal aliens to also return to their home countries to avoid the consequences and hardship should they be encountered by U.S. law enforcement or federal immigration agents,” SoCal Patriots finished.

Nevertheless, National Council of La Raza, the largest Latino rights group is calling for the Senate to pass the legislation or risk losing a powerful new voting block.

“The benefits of this modest proposal are clear and the issues that held it up have been addressed. Now the Senate must desist from blocking this debate,” said Janet Murguía president and CEO of NCLR. “There is nowhere left to hide. It is time for senators of both parties to take a stand and do what is in the best interest of our community, our economy, and our country.”

According to Alabama's Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, the DREAM Act would do more than help a million illegal immigrant children.

“Aliens granted amnesty by the DREAM Act will have the legal right to petition for entry of their family members, including their adult brothers and sisters and the parents who illegally brought or sent them to the United States, once they become naturalized U.S. citizens. In less than a decade, this reality could easily double or triple the 2.1 million green cards that will be immediately distributed as a result of the DREAM Act,” he explained.

Senate Majority Leader Reid is happy the DREAM Act will finally receive a vote as a stand alone piece of legislation during the lame-duck session.

“I filed cloture on two important bills tonight,” Reid said. “We will soon vote on a bill that provides young people brought here by their parents with a path to citizenship through academic achievement or military service.”

The DREAM Act, passed in Congress with a vote of 216-198 on Dec. 8, and is expected to have a tough time passing in the Senate, especially with an emboldened GOP.

Former GOP political figurehead, Patrick J. Buchanan, thinks the Republicans should be pushing for a moratorium on all immigration, until the unemployment rate falls to five-or-six percent. “Charity begins at home,” he said. “Ought we not take care of our own jobless first before we invite in strangers to take their jobs?”

Buchanan points to unemployment figures as an indicator why America may want to slow its immigration program in his column this week. “In the April-May-June quarter, foreign-born workers in the U.S. gained 656,000 jobs. And native-born Americans lost 1.2 million. From July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, foreign-born Hispanics gained 98,000 construction jobs, native-born Hispanics lost 133,000 and black and white U.S. construction workers lost 511,000 jobs.”

The DREAM Act is a contentious piece of legislation and advocates for both sides pounded the Senate halls, during a snowstorm today, each looking to change the mind of lawmakers before they vote tomorrow.

“I saw at least eight different groups carrying American flags and cheat sheets trying to emotionally appeal to Senators and vote in favor of the DREAM Act,” says Gene Nelson Ph.D. and DREAM Act proponent.

“What Americans and lawmakers need to understand is the DREAM Act offers no numerical caps and no sunset, and that’s why I took to the Senate halls today,” Nelson said after visiting 25 offices. “It’s a zero-sum game when it comes to jobs- American's lose and illegal’s win.”

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

Final push for DREAM Act in lame duck

The historical November midterms repudiated liberal policies and relinquished totalitarian control in Washington D.C. from the Obama Administration, but Democrats have one last gift they’d like to give the American taxpayer- amnesty.

This little gem, the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM Act), would grant amnesty to children who came with their parents unlawfully to America and opponents claim would start a chain migration amnesty for millions of illegal aliens over the next decade.

The weakened Democratic Party has decided the last legislative gift of 2010 will be the DREAM Act bill and Senate leaders, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Congressman Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) joined immigration advocates on a conference call to urge weary grassroots organizers to keep up the fight.

Senator Durbin did his best to boost moral among listeners and boast about the historic accomplishments of the House vote last week, but in the end he conceded the votes are not there in the Senate.

“I wish I could say we have all the votes, but we need Republican support. Sadly, we don’t have all the Democrat votes either,” Durbin said.

He did encourage DREAM Act supporters or “dreamers” to continue the barrage of calls to Capitol Hill in support for the amnesty legislation in the waning days of the 111th Congress. “It’s been a long battle, but we want to bring this across the finish line,” he finished.

Both Senators and Rep. Gutierrez placed the failure to pass the DREAM Act blame squarely on the GOP. “There has been a lot of rhetoric and they (Republicans) are smearing our kids,” Gutierrez said.

Despite all the “rah-rah” pep talks when it comes down to the Senate voting for the DREAM Act, Senator Durbin painted an honest picture. “The Senate will be voting on the tax bill first and then we will vote for the START treaty (Russian nuclear arms treaty), then we will need to vote to fund the government,” he explained.

And if that wasn’t enough to drain all the air out of the room, Durbin said the GOP is filibustering the legislation and forcing lawmakers to read all the bills before a vote can take place. “They (GOP) are asking us to read 15 hours for one bill and basically all day for another bill,” Durbin explained.

Durbin equated the Republican tactics to nothing more than stalling and running the clock out. “We continue to ask them to stop this,” he said. However, it was clear to those on the phone call that Democrat senators were not optimistic the DREAM Act would be signed into law, but encouraged students and advocates to keep trying and maybe a few Republican senators will change their minds.

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© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

Racist incitement by DREAM Act speaker reaches YouTube

A YouTube video surfaced today of a DREAM Act rally held in Los Angeles last night in which the unidentified speaker urged an enthusiastic crowd the DREAM Act was their way to “replace old white men” in the Senate.

The three-and -a half minute video clip explains the need for the DREAM Act and the fact the legislation will only lead to bigger and better dreams for immigrant workers.

The DREAM Act advocate pressed the importance of education and said, “You’ll go on to be lawyers, teachers, doctors and then go on to be members of the Senate to replace those old white men.”

The supporters were caught on tape clapping and laughing at the possibility of taking over Washington D.C.

The video concluded with the demand “full rights for ALL undocumented workers…”

Is the DREAM Act more than amnesty legislation- or a political movement?

Watch the video link provided by ALIPAC .us and decide for yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFCCHbLMqME

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© Copyright 2010 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.

House Democrats pass the DREAM Act

After a spirited debate by both parties the contentious DREAM Act legislation passed in the House of Representatives by a vote of 216-198.

While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.

Arguments from GOP critics pointed to perpetrated fraud, chain amnesty and costs to the taxpayer as reasons to not pass the DREAM Act.

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX) said, “The DREAM Act would put the interest of the illegal immigrant above a U.S. citizen.”

On the other hand Democrats contend the GOP’s cries of amnesty are unfounded as the children of lawbreaking adults should not be punished for their parent’s actions.

No amendments were allowed to the current DREAM Act legislation and lawmakers were given only a few hours to read and prepare for the vote on the House floor.

The Senate will vote on the DREAM Act tomorrow morning.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved

More DREAM Act inaccuracies -California colleges full

Lawmakers, advocacy groups and members of the media have been touting a lot of facts and monetary figures regarding the proposed immigration bill called the DREAM Act. And to make matters worse, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has introduced four different versions of the bill, hoping one will find favor with members of Congress.

While the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors) legislation may have admirable intentions in a time of severe economic duress, American children are the ones falling behind and losing their opportunities for higher education.

Take California for example, the state is seeing red to the tune of $20 billion per year and included in the cutbacks are colleges. As a result college tuition has increased at least 10 percent and public colleges have already authorized another 10 percent increase for the year 2011-12 school year.

Big deal say DREAM Act advocates, American’s will just pay the increase and still get their college educations.

Wrong.

Let’s take San Diego State University (SDSU), once a famous party school, college admissions have seen record applications and the majority of applicants will be turned away.

SDSU received more than 60,000 undergraduate applications for the fall 2011 semester as well as 8,000 spring applications. The total undergraduate applicants for the fall were 44,623 and 16,946 applicants applied as upper-division transfer students.

“SDSU continues to be a first-choice university for applicants and for good reason,'” said Ethan Singer, SDSU associate vice president for academic affairs. “The quality of students attending SDSU is the best it's ever been, the faculty and staff are committed to providing students with a top-notch university education and SDSU offers a dynamic student experience as well as career opportunities in some of the most high-demand fields in our economy.”

The university contends it will be unknown for awhile as to how many students will be accepted next fall due to the uncertainties regarding state funding. However they have 3,400 freshmen who began college this semester as well as 2,400 transfer students for a total of 5,800.

SDSU says they will most likely only take 3,000 undergraduates for the spring 2011 semester. Moreover, statewide, the California State University System received more than 611,000 applications and many of these prospective students will be turned away. (Currently there are 430,000 students enrolled, but most campuses are reducing enrollment as a way to deal with state cutbacks.)

And if that isn’t depressing enough for students, the University of California employees are taking part in a statewide protest today. The workers are fighting an upcoming regents’ vote to cut retirement benefits.

The fact that California cannot accept all students applying for college must have escaped the Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosawhose city is not only facing insurmountable budget issues, but it is suffering one of the highest high school drop out rates.

“Congress has another chance to make history,” Mayor Villaraigosa said during a news conference at East Los Angeles College. “I urge them to help make the dreams of millions of young people come true by passing the DREAM Act. Giving these young people a path toward citizenship is not only the right thing to do, it is an investment in our country's future,'' he finished.

However grand a perfect world would be, the country as a whole is broke and Washington politicians can’t even figure out how to keep the federal government running; let alone pass a piece of legislation that amounts to amnesty. (Once the DREAM Act applicants get their legal status they could begin the process of petitioning for their parents, brothers and sisters as well as other family members to immigrate to America in the name of family reunification.)

More freebies

It is now being reported by the Daily Caller that colleges are now encouraging students to apply for food stamps as a way to survive and continue to pay the skyrocketing university costs. Universities like, Cornell, Portland State and Des Moines State include “how to apply for food stamps” on their financial aid section of their websites.

“Almost 14 percent of the entire U.S. population now receives some sort of government aid. The use of food stamps, in particular, has grown dramatically. There are at least 6 million more Americans receiving government food assistance this year than last, for a total of more than 42 million people,” the Daily Callersaid.
Read article here: http://dailycaller.com/2010/12/07/thedc-investigation-universities-encouraging-students-to-receive-welfare-benefits/#ixzz17Ro0okTq

In California it gets much worse under Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s food stamp program has been redesigned to take away the “stigma” and make it easier for more state residents to receive government aid in the form of ATM cards.

“I am so thrilled that The Modern House Call for Women served as the platform to kick-off the CalFresh rebranding effort for the Food Stamp Program,” Schwarzenegger’s wife Maria Shriver said. “As we have traveled up and down the state raising awareness of this program through WE Connect, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary impact that this program has in the lives of families. This rebranding campaign will go a long way in helping to erase the unfortunate stigma associated with this program and encourage families to seek CalFresh as a resource for putting healthy meals on their table.”

Center for Immigration Studies crunches the numbers- Cost per year is $6.2 billion

The Washington D.C. think tank, the Center for Immigration Studies, delved into the financial consequences of the DREAM Act. The analysis in its report is based on the development of the Migration Policy Institute, which used the latest 2006 to 2008 Current Population Survey (CPS) collected by the U.S. Census Bureau. The following are some of the CIS findings.

· Assuming no fraud, we conservatively estimate that 1.03 million illegal immigrants will eventually enroll in public institutions (state universities or community colleges) as a result of the DREAM Act. That is, they met the residence and age requirements of the act, have graduated high school, or will do so, and will come forward.

· On average each illegal immigrant who attends a public institution will receive a tuition subsidy from taxpayers of nearly $6,000 for each year he or she attends for total cost of $6.2 billion a year, not including other forms of financial assistance that they may also receive.

· The DREAM Act does not provide funding to states and counties to cover the costs it imposes. Since enrollment and funding are limited at public institutions, the act’s passage will require some combination of tuition increases, tax increases to expand enrollment or a reduction in spaces available for American citizens at these schools.

· Tuition hikes will be particularly difficult for students, as many Americans already find it difficult to pay for college. Research indicates that one out of three college students drop out before receiving a degree. Costs are a major reason for the high dropout rate.

Furthermore CIS found any future tax benefit the advocates of the DREAM Act are claiming in the long-term will not help public colleges deal with the large influx of new students the DREAM Act will create. “Given limited spaces at public institutions, there will almost certainly be some crowding out of U.S. citizens therefore reducing their lifetime earnings and tax payments.”

CIS also reported that the DREAM Act only requires two years of college with no requirements of a four-year degree. “The income gains for having some college, but no degree, are modest.”

They concluded that the $6.2 billion yearly taxpayer cost will not be made up over the next 10 years.

Congressional Budget Office’s DREAM Act figures

The CBO released its cost estimate of bill 3992 of the DREAM Act. The CBO found that “putting thousands of young, undocumented immigrants on a path to legalization would reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion over ten years.” However, CIS found it would cost the taxpayer $6.2 billion per year in tuition subsidies leaving a deficit of $4.8 billion per year.

Just as the Obama Administration said the health care legislation would bend the cost curve down, giving college tuition subsides to at least a million illegal children will not bend the cost curve down it will actually do the opposite, according to CIS. Plus many reports say the DREAM Act will take university slots away from American children, whose parents were born and raised in this country.

The CBO also concluded there would be an increase in authorized workers (a moot point because America faces 9.8 percent unemployment rate) that would affect individual and corporate income taxes. Taking that into consideration CBO said those changes would increase taxpayer revenues by $2.3 billion over 10 years, these estimates came from the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT). Again this is far short of the $6.2 billion (in annualized) tuition costs assessed against American taxpayers.

DREAM Act advocates and opponents make their case

Groups like the National Council of La Raza believes it’s time for members of Congress to show which side they stand on so voters can take their positions into account for the next election.

“This vote will reveal whether they stand with the Latino community and these young people who want to serve and contribute to the only country they have ever called home. Make no mistake—the Latino community will be watching this vote closely. The time for hiding behind excuses and moving the goal posts is over,” said Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “We strongly urge both parties in Congress to work together on legislation that is important to Latinos and other Americans. Passing the ‘DREAM Act’ would be a critical first step.”

However Carmen Morales, a Latino activist and a leader of a Latino coalition, assembled leaders to speak out against the DREAM Act in Washington D.C. “We are here to send a strong message to Congress that as Latinos, we stand staunchly opposed to any measure that puts Americans at a disadvantage and rewards illegal behavior.”

According to congressional statements and the Migration Policy Institute, if passed, the bill could potentially grant amnesty to as many as 2.1 million illegal immigrants. With unemployment officially at 9.8 percent this is a huge mistake, says Morales.

“I think progressives and conservatives alike can agree on the need to support working and middle-class citizens during a depressed economy,” said Leah Durant, Executive Director of Progressives for Immigration Reform. “This bill would provide in-state tuition rates and residency benefits to illegal immigrant students.”

In the age of entitlements, growing deficits threaten the country’s economic existence and instead of providing jobs and independence Washington D.C. continues its quest to ensnare more and more Americans into a government addiction- one that is hard to break.

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© Copyright 2010Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved

The Dream Act much more than education- it’s amnesty for a new voting block

The DREAM (Development, Relief and Education of Alien Minors)

Many say the DREAM Act does nothing more than cheapen the American citizenship process and hurt those who have honestly entered the process, filed their paperwork, waited in line, learned English, studied American civics- and ended their arduous task with a U.S. Naturalization ceremony. Achieving the dream of becoming an American citizen is a process, one that means something, but it also means becoming an American.

The United States is one of only a few countries that offer a unique proposition of shedding an old life and truly becoming American with all its stars and stripes. It’s a privilege – not a given.

However, regarding the DREAM Act many Democrats are operating under the premise that it is not fair to punish children for the actions of their parents, therefore, illegal kids deserve a chance to achieve the American dream. Along with the dream they expect reduced tuition rates, something not afforded to all American children. It’s not about the money, it’s the money.

But what happens when children of all persuasions reach adulthood? Do they become bank robbers if that’s the family trade? Or are they held accountable for their actions whatever those actions might be? The greatest gift this country has is the ability to be something or nothing.

Just get into a cab in Washington D.C. and ask the driver about his American dream. “Well, what I love about this country is you can be a loser, party and live in a box if you want. Or you can work your ass off (excuse me) at a couple of jobs, learn the language, go to college and be successful. There aren’t many places in the world you can do that in and I love being an American,” said one cabbie from Ghana.

The cab driver explains in great length the years he waited to enter the country, how hard he worked to learn the language and the fact he may be able to help his family once he becomes successful in his new country. He explains that he came here with nothing and he doesn’t expect “America to give him any money, just a chance.”

It’s true illegal adults and their children continue to live in limbo in the United States. While it may have been a parents’ decision to stay illegally in America, when these kids grow up it becomes their responsibility to gain legal status.

Some immigration experts contend that if children in this “legal limbo” wish to return to their home country and apply for a student visa and legally accept a university’s offer to become a student, these children should take advantage of this legal process.

“As a consequence of lobbying by colleges and universities, there are essentially unlimited numbers of student visas granted. Thus, the scenario of an illegal alien student leaving the U.S. and returning via a student visa is plausible,” says immigration expert Gene Nelson Ph.D. “It is likely that the illegal alien student would then be liable to pay out of state tuition (something all foreign students must do until they establish legal residence). However, I note that the state of California just liberalized the treatment of all illegal alien students by passing their own version of the DREAM Act and offering in-state tuition for illegals. Nevertheless, I think it is likely that the California law will be appealed to the United States Supreme Court.”

Groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) point out that these “in limbo” young adults have many options. “They have the opportunity to go home (to their home country) or they can go to college if they pay out of state tuition rates. Also many minority and poor people use the military as a way to get out of the ghettos and spend their time in the military to earn the right to use a GI bill and then pursue college,” says Susan Tully of FAIR.

However a few strings come with the military GI Bill. Once service members enter college, the military monitors their grades and courses. If a student begins to drop or fail classes the military pulls the purse strings and they no longer receive their college benefits. It is unclear if the DREAM Act ensures these same checks and balances, but illegal alien students do not have to finish an education program in order to qualify for legal status.

Logically it makes sense for illegal young adults to start their grown up lives on the right foot and America loves the underdog. Perhaps groups like La Raza and Centers for American Progress could set up college tuition scholarship funds for these young adults who enter the country with a legal student visa and seek to grab their portion of the American dream.

However, once again a bankrupt Washington D.C. is not offering a real solution for young adults trapped in a legal immigration quagmire. Again they want to reward illegal behavior with citizenship and in-state tuition no matter a person’s legal status.

The DREAM Act would provide illegal aliens in-state tuition, even when it is not being offered to U.S. citizens and legally present aliens living just across state lines. Section 3 of the DREAM Act repeals Section 505 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (8 U.S.C. 1623) prohibits giving education benefits to an unlawfully present individual unless that same benefit is offered to all U.S. citizens. This glimpse into the unfairness of the DREAM Act came from a press release from Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

American students would also have to fight with illegal alien children for the limited money and grants available for college tuition. Colleges are raising fees every semester to keep up with the cost of living and many have stalled or reduced the student acceptance rates for financial reasons. Colleges are operating at capacity.

“Section 10 of the DREAM Act allows illegal aliens amnestied under the bill’s provisions to qualify for federal student assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) in the form of federal student loans (Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Stafford/Ford Loans), federal work-study programs, and other federal education services such as tutoring and counseling,” the statement from Sessions said. This would all but ensure that some U.S. students would lose the ability to achieve their dream of college.

Leaders in President Obama’s cabinet like Celica Munoz, director of the Intergovernmental Affairs office have been making the rounds with conference calls, action plans and coordinating White House staff to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act legislation during the lame duck session because they still have the numbers needed to pass any bill.

Munoz’s mantra during the conference calls has been “all hands on deck, call members of Congress and put a human face to the DREAM Act.”

She even replied to a question from a listener on the White House Live session regarding the President’s ability to just unilaterally sign the DREAM Act into law. “Unfortunately the law doesn’t allow the President to override the Congress,” Munoz answered.

Other prominent members of Obama’s team like U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan have hammered the point that the DREAM Act is a win, win proposition for America. “For our young people, for our country, for our country’s economy, we desperately need to pass the DREAM Act,” Duncan said during a conference call hosted by Conservatives for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. “We have a chance to do it now in the lame-duck session. And I simply don’t think we can afford to wait.”

Another main topic used by the left to garner support for the DREAM Act is the military. The arguments that the military is in need of more recruits because America is fighting two wars in the Middle East are weaved into every conference call

Yet, these talking points are simply unfounded.

The military already has rules in place to accept non-citizens into the military. In fact the Armed Forces currently accept thousands of Filipinos, Latin Americans and other nationalities into the armed services. Many of these recruits are given citizenship within six months.

According to a Department of Defense press release regarding “recruitment and retention rates” through October 2011, the military has at least a 100 percent rating in all branches of service with the Army edging out its compatriots with a 103 percent recruitment ratio.

The numbers only get better when it comes to retention rates. The figures varied from 100 percent (the low, Navy) to the high of 130 percent (the Marines). In fact beginning with the 2012 budget the military will begin mandatory implementation of a 10 percent cut across the board, according to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

While it is widely believed that the DREAM Act will fail in the lame duck session, Americans should take the time to learn the pros and cons of such a bill because this legislation has been pulled off the shelf over the last 10 years and will continue to be a hot-button topic until the U.S. illegal immigration problem is solved.

For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak

© Copyrighted 2010 Kimberly Dvorak all rights reserved

The DREAM Act is back

Just when Americans thought it was okay to focus on the economy, jobs and the holiday season, members of the demolished Democrat party are seeking to pass the DREAM Act during the lame duck session.

In a nutshell the DREAM Act would grant millions of illegal immigrants in the country amnesty by offering them a college education or the option to join the military as a means to join the legal immigration ranks.

Congressional Leaders met with President Obama at the White House to renew their push for the controversial legislation to be on the House floor during the lame duck session. Lawmakers are hoping to get at least one political win after the disastrous midterm elections and show the country they still have plenty of clout in Washington D.C.

“We had a very healthy, vigorous conversation and we reached this wonderful harmony,” said Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.). “We have an opportunity to help two million young men and women in this country join the armed forces, go to college.”

Gutierrez described the DREAM Act as a compassionate piece of legislation that would go a long way to iron the divisive issue for American citizens.

Democrats feel that if they wait for a comprehensive immigration reform, many Latinos will lose faith in the party and look for other leaders in their quest for amnesty. “We should not jeopardize this opportunity,” Gutierrez finished.

After the Oval Office meeting Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) said the leaders discussed many options and were optimistic about passage of the DREAM Act legislation.

A statement from the White House said, “The president and the (lawmakers) believe that, before adjourning, Congress should approve the Dream Act.”

However, that optimism gives anti-amnesty legislation organizations something to fight for during the possible lame duck vote.

One such group is Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) and they are counting on their supporters to step up to the challenge and stop lawmakers from passing the DREAM Act into law.

“The DREAM Act rewards those who broke U.S. immigration laws and only encourages more illegal immigration… The DREAM Act unfairly allows illegal alien students to tap federal and state benefits, when those benefits are desperately needed by Americans who are struggling every day to make ends meet,” FAIR said in an email statement.

At issue with anti-illegal activists is granting a free pass and tax breaks for illegal aliens, especially at a time when the economy cannot break free from a stubborn recession.

“It (DREAM Act) grants illegal aliens ‘conditional’ permanent resident status upon the receipt of a high school diploma, or simply enrolling in a college program or the military grants aliens normal LPR status (green cards) upon finishing two years of college or service in the military—requirements the Obama Administration can waive. It also authorizes states to give illegal aliens in-state tuition so that your tax dollars will openly be subsidizing illegal immigration; and it makes newly amnestied aliens eligible for numerous taxpayer-funded student loan programs,” FAIR contends.

Just like the movie Friday the 13th and its endless sequels, the DREAM act seems to be one of those pieces of legislation that is taken off the shelf, dusted off and put in front of lawmakers when pandering to Latinos reaches a boiling point.



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California gubernatorial alumni Brown promises the Dream Act

Let’s face it California isn’t just broke, it’s bankrupt.

California’s largest budgetary item remains education and trying to hoodwink the Golden State’s residents into adding more money to the state’s failing schools will be especially tough. While Californians pay one of the nations highest per pupil outlays they are not seeing the return on their investment.

California lags far behind other states and it rests near the bottom of the education ranks in America. It is also home to the highest drop out rates and the gridlock in Sacramento between the teachers unions and legislators remains unsolved. The once prized jewel of California is no more.

With less than two weeks to go in the election, Democrat Jerry Brown inadvertently brought the Dream Act education legislation back into the spotlight.

During a speech at University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Brown highlighted what he will do about the undocumented immigrants and their quest to seek a college education.

"We have enough wealth to continue to have a great university and get every kid into this school that can qualify,” Brown says. “Now when I say every young man and young woman, I mean everyone - whether they are documented or not. If they went to school, they ought to be here. And that will be one of the first bills I sign… Of course I'm not going to sign any bills until we get the budget solved and that may take me a couple of months."

Who knew California’s budget would only take a few months to solve and California was flush with cash.

Brown’s fairytale that California has the money to fund anyone who resides in the state with a higher education is both ludicrous and patently false. Providing undocumented immigrants with financial aid, federal grants and scholarships must also come as news to the hundreds of thousands of middle-class American families who have seen their dreams of college fall by the wayside during the recession.

Even politicians in Washington found enacting the DREAM Act would place an undue burden on Americans who have suffered the most during this economic downturn. Somehow Brown must have missed that vote and is unaware that any DREAM Act enacted in California would be null and void under federal law. The sad part of this obvious pandering to illegal aliens will only result in a more divisive state than ever.

"Yes, to the federal Dream Act which I can't do anything about, except advocate and yes, to the state Dream Act which I can do something about because our current governor just vetoed a proposal and I would have signed that bill,” Brown said.

His opponent, Meg Whitman (who is no conservative and has been dealing with housekeeper-gate) couldn’t disagree more than her Democratic adversary.

"Jerry Brown and I couldn't disagree more on this issue. The state of California is in economic meltdown, and one of Jerry Brown's top priorities is to give financial aid and in-state tuition breaks to undocumented immigrants. He not only supports legislation that would enable that type of state spending, he said it would be 'one of the first bills' he'd sign. It's either reckless mismanagement of taxpayer dollars or political pandering for votes. The truth is the state can't afford either right now,” Whitman said in a statement. “Not only is Brown's position wrong, it’s unfair to California taxpayers as well as the families who are here legally.”

During this extreme fiscal crisis and with public colleges and universities under duress Whitman claims California’s priority must be to help kids who are legal residents go to state supported colleges.

“If you play by the rules, you and your kids should be at the front of the line to benefit from the state's world-class university system,” says Whitman.

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