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Copyright, 2014
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March 23, 2010
Judge Tom
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Illegal immigrants come out

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College students across America called Wednesday, March 10, 2010 a “National Coming Out Day.” In Chicago, Detroit, New York and Boston, illegal immigrants proclaimed their illegal status carrying banners that read “Undocumented and Unafraid.”

The students plan additional events and hope to call attention to the plight of approximately 12 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. They seek federal reform of the immigration laws, even at the risk of deportation.

One side of the issue by Svadilfari (Flickr)

According to the PEW Hispanic Center in Washington, D.C. about 65,000 illegal immigrants graduate from U.S. high schools each year. Many were brought to the U.S. by their parents as babies and have closer ties to U.S. culture than their native countries. The young adult population (between ages 18 to 24) is estimated at 3.2 million.

Many in this group are in college or are college-bound. They live in fear of getting kicked out, losing scholarships and financial aid and being unable to find jobs.

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has introduced a bill in Congress that would allow high school graduates to continue their education or join the military as a way to become legal in the U.S. Read more about this bill and the DREAM ACT.

Opposing view – by Medmoiselle T. (Flickr)

What are your thoughts about immigration reform? Is this a subject you’ve discussed at school or at home? Is there a credible solution to the 12 million illegal immigrants in legal limbo in the U.S. – one that respects the rule of law while recognizing humanitarian rights and dignity? Or should the latter even be part of the conversation?

Update: Although the DREAM Act failed to pass in 2010, see here the story of one 26-year-old college graduate who continues the fight in 2011. Isabel Castillo waitresses to support herself. She cannot get a Social Security card and has become a voice in the effort to get this legislation through Congress. See her story in the New York Times below.

The Latest:  On June 15, 2012, President Obama signed an executive order authorizing undocumented children to remain in the U.S. without fear of deportation. They must have been brought to the U.S. before they turned 16 and are under 30 years of age. They can apply for a work permit if they have been here for five consecutive years, have no criminal record, have completed high school, a GED program or served in the military. A background check will be done and the permit may be renewed every two years. Since this is not a law passed by Congress, it is subject to change under a new president. One fear is that those who come forward and identify themselves as undocumented by applying for benefits or a work permit may be subject to deportation in the future if the policy is changed or reversed.

 

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Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

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1 Comment

  • Michael Olson
    June 21, 2012 8:49 am count( 0 )

    About time this happened. Now this segment of our population will be able to contribute like they are capable of doing. I have known many people in this situation who work under the table jobs and will now be able to pay taxes. This will benefit both sides of the argument.