The failure of the DREAM Act, a bill that would have put a number of illegal immigrants who arrived in this country before they were 16 on a path to citizenship, marks the loss of a decade long fight on a much needed overhaul of immigration reform.
The DREAM Act was written to benefit people who have established an American cultural upbringing, those pursuing an education or serving our country through military service.
Many opposed to immigration reform argue that immigrants burden the economy and take jobs away from native citizens.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, reiterated the need for immigration reform, which he says ‘is the single biggest step we can take’ to promote innovation and economic growth.
“The biggest single step we can take to promote innovation in New York City, and across this country, is to fix our broken immigration system,” Bloomberg said. “It’s not only hurting national security, it’s the most ruinous economic policy you could ever conceive of. It’s destroying American jobs every single day. We’ve got to change it.”
U.S. Data indicate that minorities and immigrants start businesses at a much higher rate than members of the native population. According to a 2008 study by the United States Small Business Administration, immigrants are 30 percent more likely to start a business then non-immigrants.
Our nation has a long history of the positive impact immigrants have on our economy. By starting businesses immigrants help create jobs and employment opportunities. They are motivated to come to the US to seek opportunity so they display a strong work ethic.
Another argument against immigration claims that immigration is threatening the values of our society and that ethnic groups have separatist notions.
In February of 2008 the Department of Defense reports that 65,000 immigrants are serving on active duty status. 8,000