For too long, our elected officials have “played politics”

For too long, our elected officials have “played politics” with the things that make our nation great – and nowhere are the negative effects of partisan politics more evident than in our current immigration standstill. The lives of millions of honest, hard-working men and women – many of them young students, brought to this country by their parents when they were too young to understand the implications – hang in the balance as party politics continues to take priority over principle in Washington, D.C.

But the current “Lame Duck” session of Congress presents our leaders, particularly our outgoing leaders, with a critical window of opportunity to simply do the right thing. In fact, if 12 Republicans were to support this legislation as they did in 2007, the DREAM Act would have a strong chance of passing the Senate.

Potentially one of just a handful of pieces of productive legislation to come out of the 111th Congress, the DREAM Act would offer undocumented immigrant youth a pathway to legal permanent residency through higher education or military service. It also offers our country a solid first step in fixing our very-broken immigration system, not to mention a sound investment in our economic future – all wins, no matter which side of the aisle you sit on politically.

These youth are ready to contribute to our country, the only place they've ever called home. Morally, economically or socially speaking, it simply makes more sense to invest in these youth, our nation's future, than to isolate or even deport them.

As a high school counselor, I have personally worked with students who would greatly benefit from this legislation. And as a resident of Lake Villa, I urge Rep. Melissa Bean to put aside partisan politicking and to take this fleeting opportunity to do the right thing. The “dreams” of these undocumented youth are the “dreams” of all Americans.

Sincerely,

Genesis Casillas

Lake Villa, IL