Michelle Malkin » Shamnesty alert: Desperate Dems hang on to the DREAM Act

Shamnesty alert: Desperate Dems hang on to the DREAM Act

By Michelle Malkin • October 22, 2007 04:51 PM

Fresh off the S-CHIP debacle and their FISA retreat, the Dems look to the illegal alien tuition subsidy legislation known as the DREAM Act for redemption. Numbers USA keeps track of the latest. Looks like the DREAM Act nightmare could see action on the Senate floor as early as tomorrow:

By invoking Senate Rule XIV on S. 2205, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has paved the way for prompt (and ill-advised) floor action on the measure, Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) new stand-alone DREAM Act amnesty bill. The procedural move, made late last week, means that the DREAM Act may be brought to the Senate floor as early as Tuesday (October 23) without ever having been considered in committee.

It is imperative that NumbersUSA members contact their senators to stop S. 2205 dead in its tracks.

S. 2205, which is cosponsored by long-tenured Republicans Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), is, essentially, the same amnesty offered up for consideration by Durbin as an amendment (SA 2919) to H.R. 1585, the Defense Department (DoD) authorization bill for fiscal year 2008. The Senate passed that bill October 1 without ever taking up the DREAM Act amendment or amendments concerning increased worker importation. At that time, Leader Reid announced he would push for passage of the DREAM Act before the Senate is scheduled to adjourn for the year (i.e., on or about November 16).

The Dems have tinkered with the act, but it remains a bad idea–providing instant amnesty, serving as a future illegal alien magnet, and perpetuating inequity:

In this most recent iteration, the DREAM Act authorizes DHS to cancel removal for, or adjust to lawful permanent resident status (in other words, grant amnesty to), an alien who is inadmissible or deportable in cases where the alien demonstrated that he/she:

* has maintained continuous presence in the United States for five years and was not yet 16 years old upon initial entry, but is no older than 30 years of age;
* is of “good moral character” and is not inadmissible or deportable on certain criminal grounds or on the basis of being a risk to national security; and
* has been admitted to an institution of higher education, has attained a high school diploma, or has obtained a GED in the United States.

This ill-conceived proposal, which would grant amnesty to illegal aliens who satisfy these criteria as of enactment, also would be a rolling amnesty drawing more illegal aliens here in the future to apply for amnesty.

More recent versions of the nightmarish DREAM Act have made two notable changes from earlier attempts: (1) a provision repealing existing statutory provisions barring illegal aliens from being eligible for in-state tuition unless a U.S. citizen or legal resident is eligible regardless of state residence has been removed; and (2) the age limit for amnesty applicants has been added.

This latter revision would narrow, but would not close, a gaping loophole in this amnesty because any illegal alien up to age 30 can still walk into any U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, declare that he is eligible, and be granted amnesty with minimal documentation of eligibility. That 30-year-old could claim that he illegally entered the United States when he was 15, but there is no requirement that the alien prove that he entered the United States at the claimed time by providing particular documents. The proposal would merely require him to “demonstrate” that he is eligible, which in practice could mean simply making a sworn statement to that effect. Thus, it would be an invitation for just about every illegal alien 30 and under to fraudulently claim the amnesty.

In addition, the alien then would have six years to adjust his status from a conditional green card holder to a non-conditional one. To do so, he would need only to complete two years of study at an institution of higher education, including any vocational school. If, at that point, the alien had already completed two years of study, he could adjust to non-conditional status immediately (and use his green card as a platform to sponsor parents and other family members). As an alternative to two years of study, he could enlist in the U.S. military (or any other of the “uniformed services,” such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or Public Health Service) for two years. (Note: This was the provision that allowed Durbin to claim that the DREAM Act was somehow germane to the DoD authorization bill.)

An illegal alien who applies for this nightmare of an amnesty would be allowed to count his years under “conditional” green card status toward the five years needed for citizenship. On top of that, the illegal alien could claim “retroactive benefits” and start the clock running the day that the DREAM Act is enacted. In combination, these two provisions would put illegal aliens on a high-speed track to U.S. citizenship, moving from illegal alien to U.S. citizen in as little as five years. Lawfully-present aliens, meanwhile, would have to continue to follow a slower path to citizenship.

Call your rep!

Capitol switchboard - 202-224-3121.

Posted in: DREAM Act

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#1

On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:54 pm, zorro said:

This is like a never ending nightmare!
#2

On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:56 pm, BOB said:

They just won’t let it die…are they still trying for a lower approval rating than 11%?
#3

On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:57 pm, ajmontana said:

Who Voted for these Morons!!!???
#4

On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm, granite said:

Proud to say…not I!
#5

On October 22nd, 2007 at 4:58 pm, geminicontender said:

When will Reid actually have a melt down or his constituents?
#6

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:02 pm, Ditkaca said:

What is the motivation to keep trying to jam this down our throats or slip it it by us in the dead of night?

Is it a political power play or is it about money? If it’s about money, who is funding this travesty?
#7

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:03 pm, gayle said:

Can they not find anything else of value to debate?

This is getting old….give it up already!

“I have a dream”…that this nightmare will go away and those libs will exit stage right.
#8

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:15 pm, feebiebabe said:

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:03 pm, gayle said:
Can they not find anything else of value to debate?

Don’t tempt them, they may start in again with salary increases (for themselves).
#9

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:17 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

Michelle, can you post a link to the vote roll call from last week again?
#10

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:21 pm, mngirl said:

The DREAM Act also would make illegal aliens eligible for Federal student loans and Federal work-study programs – another benefit that law-abiding foreign students cannot receive – all at taxpayer expense.

As usual, this is maddening.

In MN we have two amnesty supporting Senators - Klobuchar (D) and Coleman (RINO). Norm Coleman is the most frustrating, its election year for him so he’s moving far left.

When I write them or call them I get the most assinine responses back. But, back to the phones we go.
#11

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:26 pm, katieanne said:

They will keep pushing this, hoping we will get tired and it will slip by without notice. Sorry to disappoint them. Thanks to Michelle, we will be able to stay alert.
#12

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:28 pm, Uplander said:

Forgive Me Michele, I know this is off subject, but I’m not sure how to point out just another bias in the media. I’m thoroughly disgusted with the MSM on their coverage of the ‘Santa Ana’ Fires in Southern Mexifornia.
There are already 100,000 acres burned in San Diego County. Real folks are losing life, homes, cattle, heirlooms and futures in SanDiego County yet the focus in the media is on Babs. Rob Reiners ‘Hilly’ B-Day party and the glitterazi. Not that these folks aren’t actually real people, but just looking at the satellite images tells one that the devastation to the south is more intense. The Fires to the south are at this point label ‘Completely un-contained’, the MSM won’t report any problem here until something burns in La Jolla.

As to the thread in which I’m posting this I have e-Mailed both of my Senators as soon as I found out Grungy Harry had invoked Rule #14 on the Shamnesty Act. We do have to stop that. The e-mail follows. Feel free to send it to your own Senators. Rule 14 allows voting as early as Tuesday 22 Oct.

Honorable Senator Levin

I have been informed that The Honorable Senator Reid of Nevada has invoked Rule #14 on S. 2205. This note is to urge you to vote against passage of this measure.
Rule #14 has been invoked to bypass the Committee process and debate because the Leadership understands that the bill would not pass otherwise.
This tactic in reality is an underhanded ruse to deny input from the Voters.
Again I urge you to stand against these insincere attempts to thwart the will of the Voters.
#13

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:36 pm, ajmontana said:

Soap this might help.

dream act
#14

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:39 pm, calamityville said:

The dems must feel that they are going to need these votes in 2008.
#15

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:40 pm, The Admiral said:

What is it these people just don’t get? The whole country is screaming at them, but they just refuse to listen.

It’s time for regime change in ‘08.
#16

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:42 pm, Gothguy said:

Oh geeze Louise, this again!?!
#17

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:46 pm, mike volpe said:

A few things. Everyone here needs to realize that the SCHIP was not a failure for the Dems. Politically they have won. The public believes that the Reps are against kids. Unless the Reps come back with their own proposal and sell it, that is the narrative they will use in 2008.

On DREAM Act, they will try and use the same type of sympathetic victim with the children of illegals, however the general public hates illegal immigration and I don’t believe they will buy it, however get ready for poor and helpless kids of illegals to be trotted out in an effort to play on people’s sympathies I think this time it will fail, and I hope that people will make the connection to SCHIP from this debate. That said the blogosphere must lead the charge in contacting public officials to voice our displeasure with the bill.
#18

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:53 pm, flenser said:

If it’s about money, who is funding this travesty?

The Chamber of Commerce and the unions.
#19

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:58 pm, Ditkaca said:

The Unions? I thought the unions were against illegal alien workers?
#20

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:04 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:36 pm, ajmontana said:
Soap this might help.

dream act

AJ pulls through again.

Go SOX!
#21

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:13 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

Florida: Martinez 224-3041; Nelson (Bill) 224-5274

Nelson is a solid dimocrap and will support (follows party line). Martinez supports amnisty. We called Martinez and told him we would not support him if he turned in a YES vote on the ~~Dream~~ Act-that-will-not-go-away. I have passed this along so, we will see. I voted for Martinez. I will NOT make that mistake again!
#22

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:14 pm, meatpieandtatters said:

I don’t know what’s worse: the threat from Islamo-fascists or the noobs in our own government who are highly intent upon giving them clear sailing to enter our country and undermine it!
#23

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:18 pm, ajmontana said:

AJ pulls through again.

Go SOX!

I know you mean Go ROX!
#24

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm, ajmontana said:

I think we need to send all these Dems butterfly nets and directions to the nearest grassy meadow.
#25

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:27 pm, terrig said:

This is one dream that is a nightmare and must be stopped.
#26

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:42 pm, maisy said:

Do you get the feeling these politicians don’t give a hoot what anyone thinks? Do you think the PAYOFF they will get ..(LOOT) means more to them than their own country?
DIZZGUSTING…My Senators are the useless Kerry and Kennedy…imagine feeling as though you have no representation in government whatsoever…that is MA when Kennedy and Kerry are in for LIFE!!!
#27

On October 22nd, 2007 at 6:43 pm, John Ansell said:

How much did La Raza pay these losers? I mean seriously, it’s hard enough to send our own kids to college and now they want to use our tax money to send illegals to college? Makes no sense to me.
#28

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:06 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

Jangus Can

Jon Cary

Something or is it just me?
#29

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:09 pm, flenser said:

On October 22nd, 2007 at 5:58 pm, Ditkaca said:
The Unions? I thought the unions were against illegal alien workers?

The unions are in favor of whatever the Democratic party is in favor of. Google “unions illegal immigrants”.
#30

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:09 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

I know you mean Go ROX!

Nope, SOX just to make the Yankee fans mad.

I have 2 favorite teams:

Anybody playing the Dogers
Anyone playing the Spankees

On topic.

I have a fovorite Republican too.

Any Dimocrap running against one!
#31

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:11 pm, John Ansell said:

Maisy, I feel your pain. I’m in SO. Cal and have no reps. Now if I became an illegal alien, I would rule the world with all the goodies I’d receive.
#32

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm, Uplander said:

maisy
Send the e-mail anyway. We all know the Kerry can change it’s mind, as it were.
#33

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:21 pm, LC said:

And why again isn’t this being first reviewed in committee?
#34

On October 22nd, 2007 at 7:28 pm, CommentGuy said:

The object here is simple political tactics. The bill is just the vehicle for it.

It will be brought up more times even if it fails over and over.

They just want to be able to say it wasn’t an accident the nasty mean ole Republicans shot it down , look they did it over and over.

Then they will shill the message to Hispanics and Hillary will get out an email to all low income dishwashers telling them how the bad bad Republicans are taking away their rights.

PS send more money.
#35

On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:06 pm, Alphonse said:

I advised my senator Dick Durbin to stick his head in the toilet.
#36

On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 pm, John Ansell said:

Vote him out, Alphonse. I see to that Gov Bag-o-chips has his own fundraising scandal. Emil Jones not bringing the end to pay to play programs.
#37

On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm, John Ansell said:

Oh and ALphonse, if that toilet is dirty you can ask the mayor of Los Angeles to clean it. He stated that he cleans toilets at one of the pro amnesty rallies last year. ~~Wouldn’t want Sen. Turbin sticking his head in a dirty toilet.~~
#38

On October 22nd, 2007 at 8:48 pm, Dandapani said:

Deja vu all over again, like a bad episode of the Twilight Zone…
#39

On October 22nd, 2007 at 9:44 pm, garyt said:

Why are these democrats in favor of openborders. I would love to ask them what other nation in the world has this policy on their borders? I wonder if these elitists demos live in neigborhoods are are tagged up, gang infested, and crime infested? Someday if this keeps up these demo leaders will lose all their power to the powers to be in Mexico City. Don’t thse realize this? Are they this ignorant?. Do they want the United States to be another 3rd world republic run by politicians in Mexico City?
#40

On October 22nd, 2007 at 10:50 pm, mngirl said:

So, McCain is in Red. That means he’s definitely voting “Yes”?

What about his sudden understanding of the American electorate that we dont’ trust the government, so he’s now for closing the borders first, blah, blah, blah.

He doesn’t need Romney to distort his record he’s doing it himself. The flip flopper, or is that just openly lying to sucker some people into voting for him?
#41

On October 23rd, 2007 at 1:54 am, bit_boy said:

From Senator Maria Cantwell (d-Wa.) I am a co-sponsor of the DREAM Act (S. 774) introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) on March 6, 2007. If enacted, this legislation would allow undocumented children currently in this country to begin the naturalization process (Oct 22, 07)…ya da ya da ya da.

I got this from Cantwell today, above is just a small excerpt, and I thought the whole thing was a little late (from previous amnesty defeats). But no, it’s the start of a sneak attack. A notify the constituency before they can notify their Senators.

She adds: S. 774 has been referred the Senate Judiciary Committee for further review and is expected to reach the Senate floor by the end of this year.

Is the end of the Democratic Senatorial year now Oct. 23.
#42

On October 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 am, fiona said:

If possible, please don’t just call/fax your own Senator. This is too important. Senators are willing to take donations from non-constituents, so they should be willing to listen to the opinions of non-constituents, too.

All Senate & House members’ phone numbers can be found here: http://numbersusa.com/congressinfo/

or here:

http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt

All Senators have answering machines in their offices. Even those who don’t have them in their DC offices have them in their local offices.

And here are the toll-free Congressional switchboard numbers (the switchboard’s open 24/7):
800-862-5530
877-851-6437
866-220-0044
866-340-9281

Also, free faxes can be sent from your computer via http://www.numbersusa.com (registration is free, too).

Here are the Sens who need calling:

http://www.numbersusa.com/hottopic/aachamps.html

Also, tell everyone you know who’s against amnesty about this. Most people haven’t even heard of this yet.

This amnesty isn’t just for kids. ANYONE can claim that they came here before the age of 16, lived here for at least 5 years, & graduated from a US high school, b/c any required corroborating proof can be easily forged (all amnesties have had massive fraud). There will be people in their 30’s & 40’s who will be getting this amnesty, claiming to be only 29, guaranteed. Then, when they’re legal, they can sponsor anyone that wants to be legalized, simply by claiming that that person is a relative. The govt won’t be doing DNA tests, so how would they discover that they aren’t related?

This will legalize-& attract-just as many people as the KBK amnesty earlier this year, it’s just packaged differently.

CALL THEM ALL!
#43

On October 23rd, 2007 at 11:06 am, Boomer said:

E-mail sent and Senator Crapo called. The staffers in his office have my name and address on file I correspond with him so much. I have never been so politically active in my life. Being active duty Military kept me quiet (salute smartly and obey orders) for 25 years of my adult life, now that I’m Civil Service I just have to avoid violating the Hatch Act and I’m good to go. My only real Senator and Congressman hear a lot from me lately. As we say in the Air Force the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
#44

On October 23rd, 2007 at 11:55 am, xler8bmw said:

And just this morning there was an article on how college cost are and will continue to rise. But, meanwhile instead of helping legal kids to go to school they want to give it to illegal aliens…..Amazing!