Fresh ideas: Give immigrants a chance at American Dream

"Each time a dream goes unfulfilled, and we lose the brainpower of one, we lose the collective contribution

for all."

- Astronaut Bernard Harris

Agreement on an a much-needed overhaul of the immigration system appears out of reach. However, a glimmer of hope exists in the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. That hope is rooted in basic fairness.

Originally proposed back in 2001 by Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Richard Durbin, D-Ill., DREAM focuses on one critical sector of the immigrant population: children. More specifically, children brought to the U.S. by undocumented parents.

The DREAM Act would offer temporary, conditional legal status to unauthorized youth who entered the U.S. before age 16 and have obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent

At the end of six years, they can apply for lawful permanent residence if they attended college or served honorably in the U.S. military for two years and have maintained good moral character. Failing either of those conditions, their status reverts to "unauthorized."

Granted, many of the

2.1 million young people eligible for DREAM will be held back by their poverty or English proficiency. The cost of college would make it impractical for many as the DREAM Act explicitly bars use of Pell Grants, the federal grant program offered to other low-income students. Military service would be out of reach to those with poor English skills. Taking these factors into account, it is estimated that only about

38 percent would actually achieve lawful permanent status.

This is not amnesty. Eligible young people have committed no crime and should not be punished for their parents' immigration decisions. The U.S. is the only home they have known. They are Americans in every way but legal status. Providing them a path to legalization would allow many hard-working, tax-paying residents to come out of the shadows and participate fully in their communities and the economy for many years to come. Without the opportunity to earn citizenship we are dooming this segment of society to a permanent underclass and a life lived at the margins.

The DREAM Act could provide a powerful incentive for motivated young immigrants to invest in their educations and stay out of trouble. Isn't that exactly what we would hope for all our children?

We Americans do not believe in punishing innocent children for their parents' actions. We believe in rewarding people who work hard to get an education. We believe in honoring people who make great sacrifices to serve their country. We also believe that when everyone has a chance at the American dream, life is better for all

of us.

• Lorie Schaefer is retired, mostly.