The DREAM Act and Latino Voters

By
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 11:38 am

Leading up to yesterday’s defense authorization bill vote, it seemed unlikely that Republicans would allow the bill to go forward with the DREAM Act attached. And, indeed, Republicans filibustered the bill, killing the act’s chances for the immediate future.

So why did Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) push the vote? The main answer, according to some observers, is politics: Democratic leaders are focusing their efforts on issues that will galvanize voters rather than choosing bills that have a chance at success. This may be particularly true with the DREAM Act, an issue that could have an impact on how some Latinos vote. Reid has worked to ensure Latino voters will choose him over Republican opponent Sharron Angle this November, telling a crowd in August, “I don’t know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican.” Although a majority of Latinos identify as Democrats, many may be disappointed by failures on immigration reform. According to a July poll, 65 percent of Latino voters want to see immigration reform this year.

The Christian Science Monitor has more on how recent events with the DREAM Act might play out among Nevada’s Latino voters:

Hispanics make up 26 percent of Nevada’s population. (In 2008, they accounted for about 15 percent of the electorate.) In his neck-and-neck battle with “tea-party” favorite Sharron Angle, the majority leader needs every vote he can get, and he’s counting on a big positive response from Hispanics for pushing a bill that is popular with them. [...]

Reid’s more recent move on the DREAM Act, of course, could also anger some independent voters enough to push them into Ms. Angle’s camp – something she is counting on. (The DREAM Act would grant legal status to immigrants younger than 36 who arrived in the US as children, have lived here for five years, and are currently either in college or serving in the military.)

Of course, there’s also the possibility that failure to pass the DREAM Act could backfire for Democrats. Leaders in the Spanish-language media have spoken out against President Barack Obama’s inaction on immigration reform, and between 25 percent and 33 percent of Latino voters who want reform said they would stay home from the polls in November if Congress does not enact some type of immigration reform.

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34 Comments

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Guest
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:21 pm

Latinos aren't stupid. They'll see this as an attempt to appease Hispanic voters before the mid-term. If the DREAM act passes, it should stand on it's own, not be hastily sandwiched in a defense bill.

Stealth politics and desperation.


Guest
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:21 pm

Latinos aren't stupid. They'll see this as an attempt to appease Hispanic voters before the mid-term. If the DREAM act passes, it should stand on it's own, not be hastily sandwiched in a defense bill.

Stealth politics and desperation.


Legalatina
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:26 pm

Well I'm one Latino voter who is more than happy that the discriminatory DREAM Act failed. It is wholly absurd and borderline immoral for U.S. elected officials to expect that American families suffering from unemployment, underemployment and job insecurity while at the same time trying to figure out how to finance college education for their kids…..should be required to subsidize not only immigration benefits but allow illegal aliens up to age 35 to compete for federal financial aid including loans, scholarships, grants, work-study with their own children. The DREAM Act discriminates against U.S. citizen college students, their families and even foreign students here on student visas. The DREAM ACt is a nightmare for those immigrants patiently waiting to become citizens because it allows illegal aliens to jump the line and get immediate temporary legal residency and eligibility for all federal, state and local public benefits/services and entitlements. The DREAM Act doesn't require the illegals to EVER become or apply for citizenship…it gives them all the benefits first anyway (except for voting rights). The DREAM Act doesn't require anyone to ever GRADUATE from college.

Besides, Mexican nationals can go to school at the world-class National Autonomous University in Mexico for FREE.


Legalatina
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:26 pm

Well I'm one Latino voter who is more than happy that the discriminatory DREAM Act failed. It is wholly absurd and borderline immoral for U.S. elected officials to expect that American families suffering from unemployment, underemployment and job insecurity while at the same time trying to figure out how to finance college education for their kids…..should be required to subsidize not only immigration benefits but allow illegal aliens up to age 35 to compete for federal financial aid including loans, scholarships, grants, work-study with their own children. The DREAM Act discriminates against U.S. citizen college students, their families and even foreign students here on student visas. The DREAM ACt is a nightmare for those immigrants patiently waiting to become citizens because it allows illegal aliens to jump the line and get immediate temporary legal residency and eligibility for all federal, state and local public benefits/services and entitlements. The DREAM Act doesn't require the illegals to EVER become or apply for citizenship…it gives them all the benefits first anyway (except for voting rights). The DREAM Act doesn't require anyone to ever GRADUATE from college.

Besides, Mexican nationals can go to school at the world-class National Autonomous University in Mexico for FREE.


Carlos
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:35 pm

I NEED YOUR HISPANIC VOTES SO HERE IS A CARROT FOR YOU…THE DREAM ACT! Please don't insult my intelligence with this bill. I want meaningful reform not amnesty which is what this act essentially grants to illegal immigrants. Our message is sure come on in ANYWAY YOU LIKE and we'll JUST GRANT YOU CITIZENSHIP. Why not just incorporate Mexico as the 51st US state while we're at it. I can tell you this Mr. Reid, this is one Latino vote you're not getting. Reform is whats needed!


Robtemery
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 4:40 pm

In AZ its against the law to be Illegal. In Washington its a vote. Obama and demos voted against Immigration Reform when it was a Republican Initiative and that says it all.


guest
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:07 pm

You call yourself latino. when you discriminate hispanics like that. YOU ARE DESPICABLE! your obvioulsy not informed on how great the DREAM ACT could help all of the USA.


Luis
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:17 pm

democrats a re a bunch of wussies man and its bs they just want vote . This is about helping the greater good like it or not but noone things in the deatil way of things they just see a broad thing illegal immigrants but what about does who came when they were 3 or 4 uhh that did all their shit that fought that follow all the steps why not give them a chance this is not ammmensty for the 60 or 5 or 40 this is for the students the one that excells the ones that can make this country better .America like it or not its base on immigration Im not saying give them ammensty just let them go to school .We need reform in the immigration but the dream act needs to be pass .Seriously Im so awstruck on how greedy and inhummane this world has become instead of helping this great ass country of ours to become something greater we are limiting what we are and who we can be.If it wasnt for illegal immigrants this country wouldnt have what it is today and now we are limiting it .This country needs to stop thinking about money for a second and focus on whats good for the people stop being so damn selfish my God . If your religious like most Republicans brag about then you should follow the word of God and thats be a good samaritan for once in your life . When this country is shit i know everyone will point and blame something rather than themselves .We could have solve so many problems if we werent greedy we wouldnt be in wars and we would have more money we would be productive and China wouldnt be owning us economically .


Test1234567890
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:24 pm

“You call yourself latino. when you discriminate hispanics like that. YOU ARE DESPICABLE! your obvioulsy not informed on how great the DREAM ACT could help all of the USA.”

I don't believe Legalatina is despicable, just because she is latina doesn't mean she needs to agree with lousy acts just because its geared at getting latino votes. So, Please tell us how great it is and how it will benefit the entire USA?


Hahahaha....
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:26 pm

I guess it's time to prove these republicans right…..when this DREAM act passes all of us Latinos who have worked so hard to stay in this country will all of a sudden give up and just start stealing welfare and we will make the white race extinct in this country…wait and see we will get a turn to fuck over the whites.


Thisismeok
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:33 pm

the DREAM act is a great opportunity. You tell me as an american… lets say that the U.S economy goes down alot… Violence and drugs become a huuuuge problem in the US. you and your family are starving… and there is no where to find a job… then some one tells you that Europe has alot of opportunities over there.. are you going to sit there and wait for months or maybe even years to become legal and head to europe for a better future? I dont thnk so! the first thing you would do is get your family and head over there.. then your children grow up and want a brighter future and they grew up there.. all they know is Europe & the US is still a mess. YOur child finishes his/her studies in europe and then are unable to get a job because they are illegal aliens and it is almost impossible to become a citizen..How would you feel knowing that your child can not get a good job and will have to live like a poor person for the rest of their life. knowing that you are responsible for taking them to Europe in the first place. would you like that? yea.. thats what i thought. You would be mad at the govt for not giving your children the opportunity because it wasnt your childs fault that they were brought to Europe illegaly. thats the same thing with these young illegals… they did not have a say and were brought here by their parents. many of these kids do not even know mexico and cant even speak spanish. I think the dream act would be a great opportunity for them to get what they deserve because after all they grew up here in america and america is all they know. the parents of these students arent asking nothing in return. all they want is for their children to succeed in the land that they grew up in.


Londosilver
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 5:47 pm

ok that's great you want to ''fuck over the whites.'' where do you draw your line? Because I'm white you'd consider me an enemy? I'm married to a mexican and I support immigration reform. It's an issue of what's right or wrong. It's wrong to kick people out of the U.S. who deserve a chance. And I'm tired of this gov't being at a standstill when it comes to passing laws which would benefit hispanic families. If you want to fuck over all the whites, that will include those who want to HELP you. Tonto


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Ism3x
Comment posted September 22, 2010 @ 8:53 pm

Do not be discouraged by these nay sayers, hypocrites and their contradictions. Last month, these same people accused the DNC of feeding the unemployed who may not be wanting to work purposely. Now comes a bill that would ask educated illegal Americans to work either in the military or towards their college tuition. But here they come and tell you all about laws and the system, because they do not perceive your mental paradox. You cannot convince these people because their are in fear. These people fear because they have no clue how to make their kids innovative and motivative enough to receive free college. So, they come here and tell you their kids don't get a chance like you do, when all along it is the parents and kids fault by taking for granted their American citizenship.
They do not want to accept that once you obtain documentation, you will be American fighting for America, fighting for the nay sayers and fighting for a better future for their kids. Will America survive in the coming complex world economy?
“Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost… To those who can hear me, I say: 'Do not despair.' The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed – the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish.” Charlie Chaplin


katatinka caroon
Comment posted September 23, 2010 @ 10:01 pm

I am a North American mestiza. When I first got to LA, I was all for the Illegals and thought we had plenty of room for everyone. That was before I realized the Illegals have no room for me. They don't want me in their neighborhoods, their churches, their schools. I am tolerated in their shops, but they would like me, and every one who looks like me, to disappear.

Don't tell me about how they feel. They have been telling me how they feel for the entire five years I have been in Los Angeles. Never once has one of them asked me how I feel. How I feel is I would like to have just one of the jobs that are not good enough for you. I would like to be hired by one of your “raza.” (Pigs will fly.) You should see the look on their “diverse” faces when I ask if there is any work. As if I have created a bad smell. I have been submerged in Illegals at an LA college for three years. What “educated Americans?” Our college is like play school. Teachers pandering and kowtowing to people who cannot speak their own language properly, never mind English. Keep those government dollars rolling in, and pretend it is for “the needy” who have more than I have because I am a native-born American. After you have got the car, the A/C, the iPhone, the Blackberry, the PC, the hair-style, what is it you lack? Oh, yeah, self-respect. The National Autonomous University of Mexico is FREE to all Mexican Nationals. It is a famous world class university. Illegals Go Home! All the ethnics here in LA as a rule hate each other, but we are coming together now against these screechers. Thank you Illegals, for putting the “United” back into the “United States.” We couldn't have done it without you. Hasta la Vista.


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montezumasrevenge
Comment posted September 24, 2010 @ 11:42 pm

In other news, Democratic members of Congress moved to eliminate the term “illegal alien” and replace it with the term “future Democratic voter”.


Sandi
Comment posted September 25, 2010 @ 6:49 am

“DESERVE”? Where do you get off thinking that these children deserve opportunity? They are all ILLEGALS!!! The parents aren't asking for anything? You can be pretty sure they've received all kinds of government assistance since coming to this country. Their children were probably educated with legal American tax dollars. Most American would not go to another country and expect rights as an illegal immigrant. True Americans know that for a civil society, you work hard, pay your share and don't expect handouts. The only people who deserve anything are the people paying taxes.


John
Comment posted September 28, 2010 @ 2:10 pm

So its America's fault that Mexico doesn't have jobs. Look at Carlos Slim or whatever his name is, he is the richest man in the world and guess what he did it all in Mexico – oh and he is 100% Mexican too. If you go to a country illegally and your kids are born there and they get opportunities you didn't; that is good thing right – I think so. However if they can't get jobs after the fact because they are still illegal, its not America's fault. Go back to Mexico and make changes there with your stolen American education. This way you all fix Mexico and we American's can go do the jobs we supposedly don't want to do.


Statesman
Comment posted September 28, 2010 @ 2:17 pm

There you go blame Obama and the Democrats and oh may the poor poor Republicans…Please wake up! They both use you for your votes this immigration thing has been a problem way before Obama came on board. Truth is neither party does anything about it because Business runs America not Americans. This is what we are fighting for, we are trying to get a balance back, we are losing the very foundation of this country and the power of the people has been usurped. Don't blinding give your allegiance to one party just because, that's what they want you to do. Instead vote the individuals that do what is necessary for the county, city, state, or country.


equality
Comment posted November 25, 2010 @ 3:03 am

Let’s just just mexican illegals the same way Mexico treats its illegals.


mpc2000
Comment posted December 9, 2010 @ 3:26 pm

pretty much, buddy


4890390
Comment posted September 7, 2011 @ 12:43 pm

4890390 beers on the wall. sck was here


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