Media_Reaction

Media Reaction Michael J. Fidermutz SOC/315 11/02/2011 John Harris Abstract I am a firm believer that education should be available to anyone who wants to continue their education after High School. But there is one issue that I do have a problem with and that is the state of California offering Financial Aid to “Illegal” undocumented students who have come into the country to better themselves. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that they should be banned from doing so; I just think there needs to be a line that has to be drawn. During this article I am going to write I will point out some of the drawbacks I see from the “California Dream Act” the way it has affected my family directly and how it has prevented them from continuing their education and get to where they want to be in life. I believe every one is entitled to their opinions on anything that is brought up regardless of what the topic is. Financial Aid for Undocumented Students The “California Dream Act” states “An undocumented high-school graduate or GED recipient would be eligible to adjust to conditional lawful permanent resident (LPR) status if they have been physically present in the United States for at least five years and were younger than 16 when they first entered the country. (Immigration Policy Center, Para 6, 2010) I am all for today’s youth receiving an education and moving forward with their lives, but I have a problem when them receiving their education and continuing their lives gets in the way of my family or even American born young men and women furthering their education. As stated in the Abstract my family has experienced this bill affecting their educational progress first hand. My brother has received his certificate in the studies of “Surgical Technologist,” which is great for him. After finishing that program, which he completed at an adult school institution, he went to enroll in a junior college to continue his education and get his RN degree. He had completed his application for Financial Aid, and after a few weeks was notified he was not qualified to receive financial aid for the simple fact that he was still living under my parents roof and my father made too much money. In reality my father was on Family Leave from work because of my mother’s current health situation and would shortly lose his job about two weeks later. After refilling for financial aid he was rejected again because still my family made too much money. It upsets me because my father has worked hard for 30 years to support his family; with five kids it is hard to send all of them to school. But you can have a child who was born out of the country, came here illegally, and they can get their education paid for the simple fact that they have been here since under the age of 16 and for at least 5 years. Now I know it was not their choice to come to the US under the age of 16 living with their parents. But when the parents can not legally hold a job in the US because of their status as a resident with obviously no income, why should my family and several other families born and raised in the US have to give up their educational opportunities so they can improve theirs. Previously the requirements for financial aid required every individual to be a citizen of the United Stated. These means proof of birth on US grounds or territory (birth certificate) and have a valid Social Security card. Also be registered in Selective Service while between the ages of 18-25. As far as I know, being a recruiter, in order to be registered for the Selective Service you must be a US citizen. If your Social Security card states “For Work Purposes Only” that does not mean you would qualify for the Financial Aid Program. There are a many people who are in the state assembly who believe the California Dream Act is a bad idea, not only for the State of California, but for the nation. Critics argued that AB 131 (California Dream Act) would encourage more illegal immigration and cut the education funding available for citizens. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly R-Twin Peaks states "If you offer a benefit, people will come," he said. "Do we want to have a lot more people coming here illegally'" (Tim Donnelly, Southern California Public Radio, www.scpr.org, 2011). The media portrays many a numerous different messages, some good, and some bad. It just depends on their view on the subject. Assemblyman Gil Cedillo is a firm believer in the California Dream act he stated during a short floor debate "I ask you to do what is justified and fair, this is in the best interests of the state of California" (Gill Cedillo, Southern California Public Radio, www.scpr.org, 2011) I believe the media portrays both sides of the issue. This issue is going to affect the US economy. Critics of college aid (and college access) for the undocumented say the state is cutting support to its public universities and can't afford to educate undocumented students. (Joe Matthews, NBCbayarea.com, 2011) the state is making cutbacks, but those cuts aren't driven by immigration. They're driven by the state's broken governing system, which makes higher education the easiest piece of the budget to cut. (Matthews, NBCbayarea.com, 2011) According to NBC news it would create more jobs, but more jobs for undocumented immigrants, not the American born citizens. I believe everyone is entitled to an education, regardless of their national origin, race, and ethnicity. I am not saying that they do not need to receive their education, after all the reason people immigrate to the US is for better opportunity and a better quality of life. I do, however, believe that there need to be a line drawn when it comes to illegal immigrants receiving Financial Aid. When it gets in the way of American born citizens receiving their education, then I believe it a problem that needs to be looked at. The California Dream Act is closing the window of opportunity for American citizens to attend college with their rightfully earned Financial Aid, especially with the cut in the Education Budget. Allowing a certain percentage of the over all student body to be illegal immigrants would be one thing and make it a first come first served opportunity for those undocumented that way resulting in a bigger window of opportunity for the American born and even Naturalized Citizens. References Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Council. (2010). The Dream Act http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), California Dream Act Passed by State Assembly (2011). http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/06/01/27053/california-dream-act-passed-state-assembly/ Gill Cedillo, SCPR (2011) Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), California Dream Act Passed by State Assembly (2011). http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/06/01/27053/california-dream-act-passed-state-assembly/ Tim Donnelly, SCPR (2011) Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), California Dream Act Passed by State Assembly (2011). http://www.scpr.org/news/2011/06/01/27053/california-dream-act-passed-state-assembly/ NBC Bay Area. Lets Not be Dreamy about the California Dream Act. (2011) http://www.nbcbayarea.com/blogs/prop-zero/Lets-Not-Be-Dreamy-About-California-Dream-Act-126188188.html California Dream Act. The Bill. (2011) http://www.californiadreamact.org/about/the-bill.html