Liberty and justice for all?
Imagine quietly walking through the barren beauty of the Chihuahuan desert at the peak of night. The deep black sky is speckled with the stunning radiance of the stars above, and the moon is arched high in the sky. It’s something surreal, and a once in a lifetime experience. However, the beauty around you fades into the still shadows of the night, for your eyes are frantically scanning back and forth, searching for any sign of movement. Movement could mean the end of your journey, the end of your American dream; for you are illegally crossing the Mexican-American border. Crossing the Mexican-American border is very dangerous, yet people cross the border every day, for all they want is a better life.
Fortunately, the Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants to achieve the possibility of a better life. The Dream Act, which stands for Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, gives an individual, who illegally entered the United States as a young child, the possibility to apply for U.S. citizenship without being deported. Although many United States Citizens frown upon the Dream Act because they believe it incentivizes illegal immigrants to come to America, the Dream Act actually increases economic prosperity and promotes equal opportunity and liberty for all.
Current studies show the Dream Act would increase economic prosperity for Americans. In a recent study by Center for American Progress, the report found that by initiating the Dream Act, 329 billion dollars would be added to the U.S. economy in addition to the creation of 1.4 million new jobs by 2030. ("The Economic Benefits of Passing the DREAM Act.”) Another study by RAND found that by increasing the number of Hispanic college graduates, public school funding would increase by 10%. (Guzmán). Not only does the Dream Act increase economic prosperity, but it also emphasizes one of America’s ideals- to do the right thing.
Immanuel Kant, the founding father of deontology, believes one should do the right thing because it is the ethically correct thing to do. He believes decisions based on exterior motives lose moral value. Therefore, deontologists believe you should not make decisions based upon your feelings or desires, but rather based upon what’s morally correct. Relating to the idea of deontology, president Barrack Obama precisely sums up his thoughts about the Dream Act, “As long as I’m president, I will not give up on this issue, not only because it’s the right thing to do for our economy … not just because it’s the right thing to do for our security, but because it’s the right thing to do period ”(Politico).
Even though the president of our country is in favor of the Dream Act, many people are against it. Some people believe that the Dream Act is an incentive for illegal immigrants to come to America, and rewards people for breaking the law. For instance, Senator John McCain who was recently quoted in an article by The Hill, said, “No amnesty. Many of them (illegal immigrants) need to be sent back”(O’Brien). However, when we refuse to show amnesty towards illegal immigrants, are we not taking away the life and liberty of illegal immigrants? Don’t these acts violate the 14th amendment?
The 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution articulates, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property…” The 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution doesn’t specify, “nor shall any State deprive any U.S. citizen of life, liberty, or property…” The 14th amendment states, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property…” I believe this statement applies to anyone anywhere in the world.
Both the14th amendment and “The Pledge of Allegiance,” grant liberty to all people. I learned “The Pledge of Allegiance” in grade school. The pledge will forever be embedded in my mind, and I will never forget the last phrase when we say, “…with liberty and justice for all.” In my mind, “The Pledge of Allegiance,” does not apply to some, but to all people regardless of where they are from. When we recite the pledge, we recite it with great pride. And yet, why should we recite the pledge with so much dignity when we don’t grant liberty and justice for all?
It’s a privilege to live in America and our core beliefs of granting everyone liberty, justice, and life needs to become a reality. The Dream Act would bring our country one step closer to making our country just. Although the Dream Act has divided our country due to fear of job shortages and an increase in illegal immigrants, it is morally correct to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants who were brought to America as young children.
Bibliography
Davidson, Adam. "Do Illegal Immigrants Actually Hurt the U.S. Economy? –
NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/magazine/do-illegal-immigrants-actually-hurt-the-us-economy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
Dias, Wije. "Obama administration to continue mass deportations of immigrants - World
Socialist Web Site." World Socialist Web Site - Marxist analysis, international working class struggles & the fight for socialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/09/24/immi-s24.html>.
Guzmán, Juan Carlos, and Raul C. Jara |. "The Economic Benefits of Passing the
DREAM Act | Center for American Progress." Center for American Progress. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2012/09/30/39567/the-economic-benefits-of-passing-the-dream-act/>.
Klein, Ezra. "Obama is deporting immigrants faster than Bush. Republicans don’t think
that’s enough." The Washington Post: National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/08/27/obama-is-deporting-more-immigrants-than-bush-republicans-dont-think-thats-enough/>.
O’Brien, Micheal. “McCain favors immigration reform that would deport ‘many’ illegal
residents.”The Hill- The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
<http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/107245-mccain-favors-immigration-reform-that-would-deport-many-illegals>.
POLITICO.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. <http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77464.html>.
"Pursuing Dream of U.S. Citizenship, Colombia Native Applies to Stay –
NYTimes.com."The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/nyregion/pursuing-dream-of-us-citizenship-colombia-native-applies-to-stay.html?_r=2&>.
“The Dream Act.”
Immigration Policy Center.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. <http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act>.
Fortunately, the Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants to achieve the possibility of a better life. The Dream Act, which stands for Development Relief and Education of Alien Minors Act, gives an individual, who illegally entered the United States as a young child, the possibility to apply for U.S. citizenship without being deported. Although many United States Citizens frown upon the Dream Act because they believe it incentivizes illegal immigrants to come to America, the Dream Act actually increases economic prosperity and promotes equal opportunity and liberty for all.
Current studies show the Dream Act would increase economic prosperity for Americans. In a recent study by Center for American Progress, the report found that by initiating the Dream Act, 329 billion dollars would be added to the U.S. economy in addition to the creation of 1.4 million new jobs by 2030. ("The Economic Benefits of Passing the DREAM Act.”) Another study by RAND found that by increasing the number of Hispanic college graduates, public school funding would increase by 10%. (Guzmán). Not only does the Dream Act increase economic prosperity, but it also emphasizes one of America’s ideals- to do the right thing.
Immanuel Kant, the founding father of deontology, believes one should do the right thing because it is the ethically correct thing to do. He believes decisions based on exterior motives lose moral value. Therefore, deontologists believe you should not make decisions based upon your feelings or desires, but rather based upon what’s morally correct. Relating to the idea of deontology, president Barrack Obama precisely sums up his thoughts about the Dream Act, “As long as I’m president, I will not give up on this issue, not only because it’s the right thing to do for our economy … not just because it’s the right thing to do for our security, but because it’s the right thing to do period ”(Politico).
Even though the president of our country is in favor of the Dream Act, many people are against it. Some people believe that the Dream Act is an incentive for illegal immigrants to come to America, and rewards people for breaking the law. For instance, Senator John McCain who was recently quoted in an article by The Hill, said, “No amnesty. Many of them (illegal immigrants) need to be sent back”(O’Brien). However, when we refuse to show amnesty towards illegal immigrants, are we not taking away the life and liberty of illegal immigrants? Don’t these acts violate the 14th amendment?
The 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution articulates, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property…” The 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution doesn’t specify, “nor shall any State deprive any U.S. citizen of life, liberty, or property…” The 14th amendment states, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property…” I believe this statement applies to anyone anywhere in the world.
Both the14th amendment and “The Pledge of Allegiance,” grant liberty to all people. I learned “The Pledge of Allegiance” in grade school. The pledge will forever be embedded in my mind, and I will never forget the last phrase when we say, “…with liberty and justice for all.” In my mind, “The Pledge of Allegiance,” does not apply to some, but to all people regardless of where they are from. When we recite the pledge, we recite it with great pride. And yet, why should we recite the pledge with so much dignity when we don’t grant liberty and justice for all?
It’s a privilege to live in America and our core beliefs of granting everyone liberty, justice, and life needs to become a reality. The Dream Act would bring our country one step closer to making our country just. Although the Dream Act has divided our country due to fear of job shortages and an increase in illegal immigrants, it is morally correct to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants who were brought to America as young children.
Bibliography
Davidson, Adam. "Do Illegal Immigrants Actually Hurt the U.S. Economy? –
NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/magazine/do-illegal-immigrants-actually-hurt-the-us-economy.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.
Dias, Wije. "Obama administration to continue mass deportations of immigrants - World
Socialist Web Site." World Socialist Web Site - Marxist analysis, international working class struggles & the fight for socialism. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/09/24/immi-s24.html>.
Guzmán, Juan Carlos, and Raul C. Jara |. "The Economic Benefits of Passing the
DREAM Act | Center for American Progress." Center for American Progress. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2012/09/30/39567/the-economic-benefits-of-passing-the-dream-act/>.
Klein, Ezra. "Obama is deporting immigrants faster than Bush. Republicans don’t think
that’s enough." The Washington Post: National, World & D.C. Area News and Headlines - The Washington Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/08/27/obama-is-deporting-more-immigrants-than-bush-republicans-dont-think-thats-enough/>.
O’Brien, Micheal. “McCain favors immigration reform that would deport ‘many’ illegal
residents.”The Hill- The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room. Web. 24 Oct. 2013.
<http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/107245-mccain-favors-immigration-reform-that-would-deport-many-illegals>.
POLITICO.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. <http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0612/77464.html>.
"Pursuing Dream of U.S. Citizenship, Colombia Native Applies to Stay –
NYTimes.com."The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/nyregion/pursuing-dream-of-us-citizenship-colombia-native-applies-to-stay.html?_r=2&>.
“The Dream Act.”
Immigration Policy Center.
N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2013. <http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/dream-act>.