The Dream Act is a Conservative Act
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By Stephen A. Nuño.
The overwhelming concern for conservativism is the perpetuation of society; to sustain a moral order that adheres to convention and is respectful of the institutions developed by those before us. Conservativism also believes in the fallibility of humanity, but the wisdom of the species.
It is said that the Dream Act is an abomination of the law, that it rewards illegal behavior and that it encourages more people to come here nefariously. Yet, these arguments are inconsistent with conservativism because they ignore the convention of human migration, the nature of humans seeking a better life for themselves, and most importantly, it is a contradiction to persist in maintaining a society of citizens stuck in the shadows of society.
To not acknowledge that the people who would gain a pathway to legalization are already citizens is inconsistent with conservativism because the ideology of conservativism does not recognize paperwork as the overarching prerequisite for membership into society. One’s contribution to society, their participation as a member of society, and their stake in the future of society is much more important, and in each of these ways, children who were brought here on no part of their own free will, but have grown with and into the heart of this country are as much a part of this country as you or I. To rip that bond with society out of animosity for an act they had no power to prevent is as radical as those who argue that the bond between a father and his son is inconsequential.
Human migration is a natural phenomenon that has occurred throughout history. Our Founding Fathers argued that King George’s attempt to prevent migration into the colonies was an assault on the lives of the colonists. Without humans, the fundamental engine of society, there can be no nation. There exists no successful country or nation on this planet that has ever persevered without human and economic growth. We are a unique society in that our biggest problem is managing the massive growth of our economy as we absorb more people. For many countries they build walls not to keep people out, but to keep them in. The wall we are building along our southern border is not only a remarkable testament to our ignorance of history, but an astonishing example of just how much conservatives have lost their faith in the power of liberty and human spirit.
The Dream Act acknowledges our government’s role in creating an immigration policy that is incongruent with reality. To think that people will simply accept their fate of poverty when hope and opportunity are a border away is as impractical as it is foolish. The Dream Act acknowledges what we already know, that we are inextricably tied to the world around us. We argue that the free movement of capital and that the diversification of the flow of goods is positive for society, but for some reason diversification is bad when it comes to human capital. This is the true radicalism. Those who would try to preserve this country as one would a diorama in a snow globe are the true radicals trying to socially engineer society.
We must accept human fallibility, our role in the creation of our immigration policy contradictions and we must work to rectify the damage we are committing on our community by rejecting our own daughters and sons. Rather, we must work to integrate these people into society so they can be productive members of this great country from outside of the shadows. These people have worked in the face of great obstacles to be good citizens, to get an education and they only seek a chance to further their contribution. They are overwhelmingly faithful people by nature. They are overwhelmingly already related to us by blood. Our Founders were well aware of the important link between liberty, faith and education. Thomas Jefferson, a genius of his time, had written on his gravestone, “Here was buried Thomas Jefferson. Author of the Declaration of Independence of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia”. For a man who accomplished so much, this is what he chose to be remembered as.
Let us move forward as a society. Let us support the Dream Act. Let us embrace our sons and our daughters. They are us and they are our future.
Stephen A. Nuño, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University. He can be reached atStephen.Nuno@nau.edu
I would not agree with the sentiments offered in this article. At best, the idea that the Dream Act is a conservative act is a kludge, put together in an effort to get conservatives to support a decidedly non-conservative proposal. We can all agree that immigration is necessary and our laws allow for legal migration. We, as many countries do, limit that migration. The “citizens” Dr. Nuno is describing are only that in the larger sense. That is not a terrible thing as they are clearly contributing members of this community. But, they are not, legally speaking “citizens”. That is the real problem here. No one would want to punish these persons for acts that were committed without their consent. They have been brought to this country by family members seeking a better life. We can even say they are not culpable in the acts committed by those same family members. But, to say these individuals should be placed at the front of the line while others immigrants seek legal entry, is a bit too far. Let’s not kid ourselves. The persons described in the Dream Act are not felons, nor are they taking advantage of public resources. They pay their own way to America’s colleges, universities and the armed forces. But, by making them citizens, we are also saying that this precedent is acceptable. There will be no reasonable way to tell future persons who illegally enter this country that their children should be punished, whether or not they are in college or the military. They will insist that being a “good” person should be enough. Why shouldn’t they? We will have proven that our laws can be ignored and the lawbreakers will be rewarded for that behavior. These same parents will then eventually insist upon citizenship for themselves. The cycle will never end. If we choose to confer citizenship to these persons, it should be because we want to do so, not because the politics are favorable. Yes, we are tied to the greater world, but geography should not be the deciding factor in anyone’s opportunity for a better life.
I support a comprehensive overhaul of immigration laws in this country. However, this article’s position is a stretch that the DREAM act is a conservative act. I agree that we are a nation of immigrants. However, this article smacks of open borders. I ask Mr. Nuno what other country in the world would allow something like the DREAM act? How does Mr. Nuno respond to those who have gone or are going through the rigorous procedures to become legal immigrants?
It is human nature to migrate to seek a better life and I would do the same thing to improve conditions for my family. But I would know full well that if caught, I (AND MY FAMILY MEMBERS) would suffer the consequences of MY actions.
All that being said, I believe that we need to secure our borders and start a comprehensive guestworker program. We also need to find a pathway to legal immigration for current illegal immigrants that provides financial consequences for their current illegal status. I believe this pathway should be probationary and the financial consequences should be significant.
The DREAM act is an attempt to piecemeal comprehensive immigration reform.
Professor Stephen; Migration of the human species aside, there are borders and national boundaries that establish a sovereign nation. I don’t believe that anyone has disputed the inherent streak that every human has it built into to their genetic makeup that makes nearly every human a pilgrim seeking a better life. The DREAM Act as you’ve dressed it up to cover up the defects and make it’s marketability more attractive, your prose is pretty, but it reads as a novela. We know it’s not true. The DREAM Act (with the enhancement of your description) attempts to bend and mold an inaccurate account of the negative impact that illegal immigration has left on so many American communities. The degradation of whole neighborhoods, communities and suburbs as a result of 25+ years of unchecked migration is the actual reality that you so eloquently try to phrase away with your displaced melodically worded intellect. It reads as nothing more than a wish that would make all the negative consequences just go away. It may read and sound good, and convincing to some, but you’ve got a long way to go in bringing believability to the authentic Conservative Hispanics that you are somehow one of us. Professor, as I’ve said it before in comments to previous posts, you’ve got to give us a lot more respect and a great deal more credit – we can read between your lines. If you had not posted your name, I would have imagined this to have been written by Dr. Juan Hernandez, or Joe Scarborough. Conservatives they are not!
A contribution by an illegal immigrant to American society, regardless of the degree of their positive impact, is not a substantial reason to grant amnesty.
AMERICANO! The children of the parents who were brought here by a conscious decision (by their parents) to violate their future stability, you too are approaching a line that would identify yourselves as inauthentic to actual Conservative ideals. You seem to be making a move that would violate our stability. Mr. Gingrich, are your true colors are coming into focus? Does this piece portray your definition of Conservatism? I had great hopes for this site. I now feel that with articles such as contains the high pressure new car sales pitch as this one (no offense to Conservative car salesmen), it leaves me feeling that I need to say with an emphatic “No Thanks”, and an “Adios’ compa’ – ya me voy”. My disappointment increases with every post like this one.
We already have a Dream Act in America. All you have to do is go to your local immigration off fill out the application and wait like everyone else that becomes a citizen. You can reward people who break the rules. If you do get caught in the unites states without the proper documents, you get deported. You knew the rules when you came here.
Shame on the US government if they reward anyone who breaks any law. It doesn’t matter how petty the offense or the reason.what would you expect from our government, they are a joke anyway.
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated.
[...] to Hispanics by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, published an op-ed titled “The Dream Act is a Conservative Act.” Posted by domenicpowell Filed in Uncategorized Leave a Comment » LikeBe [...]
Pleeeease!!!
continue your anti-immigrant stance
Every 30 seconds we have a new Latino voter. Very much like mine. Sometimes, we even carry, such as in my case the vote of some old white male (Oh! perish the thought, but some of those older white males, even if it’s only the cutter smarter ones, are married to cute Latina women, Who Knew!!! Can you guess how they vote…?)
So please continue this anti-immigrant instance and soon you will not be Able to elect member for your home owners association board (yes we buy houses too, my own homeowners association learned recently that Latina women have money too, and buy houses, again who knew!!!!)
Ah! And this Latina woman is more patriotic than most because, unlike most people In this forum, I don’t begrudge paying MY taxes