Hunger Strike No Way to Change Law
Posted: Sunday, November 28th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
By: San Antonio Tea Party
Web Posted: 11/26/2010 12:00 AM CST
The ongoing hunger strike by students at UTSA in favor of the DREAM Act is attracting some attention, but it is misdirected and misguided. These students should stop this dangerous, self-destructive behavior and channel their efforts in a positive direction.
They are not U.S. citizens and not entitled to federal benefits. Their illegal status is the fault of their parents, who broke the law in entering the U.S. and bringing them as infants. It is not up to the U.S. to correct their parents’ mistakes or overlook their violation of the law. This is a nation of laws, and they must not be circumvented to suit personal or special needs. A good reason so many immigrants come to America is because the laws in their native country are not applied equally to everyone. These young illegal immigrants should not expect our immigration laws to be bent to fit them, either.
As for the hunger strike, public policy should be based on rational debate, not emotional behavior. Changing or adjusting laws must be done following the processes and procedures outlined in the Constitution. Outbursts and temper tantrums should never be rewarded.
If these young people want the benefits of citizenship, they can start now. There is a lawful process that all immigrants who want to become citizens can follow. They could also join the military and serve honorably as a path to citizenship. Once they are lawfully recognized to be here, they can receive whatever benefits are entitled to people who legally reside here.
The fate of the UTSA students is not on the heads of conservatives or people who disagree with the DREAM Act. It is on the heads of those who continue to play politics with this issue. Liberal Democrats ran the White House, House and Senate for two years; why didn’t they act on this issue then? Why is it now an issue, with conservatives portrayed as the “bad guys”?
Many conservative Hispanics oppose special rights or amnesty for people who broke the law to enter the U.S. It doesn’t matter how old they were when they entered if they are here illegally.
In conclusion, elected officials should realize U.S. voters will hold them accountable if they bend the laws to fit noncitizens who broke the law to enter. The DREAM Act is nothing more than another effort by liberals to play politics by “giving citizenship” rather than uniting all Americans under the rule of law.
The hunger strikers at UTSA should cease their reckless behavior and apply for citizenship like every other legal immigrant to the U.S.
George H. Rodriguez is a retired federal employee. He worked in Washington with the Reagan and Bush I administrations. He lives in San Antonio.
San Antonio Tea Party
Their situation is a mess, but not of our making. If my parents were bank robbers, would I get to keep their loot? “The Dream Act” or any other amnesty measure is NOT the solution. We must steam the migration and protect our national borders, FIRST. We need to UNIFY our national identity with a common language (Diversity is devisive). Then, our reasonable elected representatives will find a solution that will be fair and just; LEGAL.
Let’s think this through. Hundreds of thousands, maybe counted in the millions, of young, energetic, college educated people suddenly find themselves in Mexico, that near-by third-world country, and they are dissatisfied with what they find.
Maybe this could be the BEST aid we could send!
How easy you make it sound, for those who are illegal, to just go and apply for citizenship like everyone else. The reality is that this is not an easy road. I agree with not breaking the law, but the reality is that these students are here to stay, whether you like it or not. Furthermore, it is not their fault that they are here in the first place, tax-payer’s have already invested money in their education, why not aid them in becoming successful citizens and reep what they have to offer to our society. Do you really expect everyone of them to just return to their country’s where they are not even familiar with the streets,family or culture? I support these students, who did not have a chance to become legal residents, and I hope our people in power can find a way to help them achieve their dreams. Don’t forget this is a country born out of immigrants, fleeing from their countries for a better life here in what we now call the U.S.A.
maybe they’ll starve, once again confirming Darwin’s concept.
I am totally agree with this article.
why do people who obeying the law and want to be legally in America, why they have to wait years in line, while illegals want and receive benefits? Why illegals can pay in-state tuition, but international students pay out-of-state?
Once I published my opinion in the campus magazine, which was different from “dreamers”, and they immediately began to blame me of racism and discrimination.
I was loyal to them but not anymore.