DREAM Act Equates Military Service with College

The proposed DREAM act offers legal permanent residency to children who were brought to the United States illegally by their parents.

Proponents argue that the children are here through no fault of their own and should be given the opportunity to make a life for themselves in the United States if they will either enlist for two years in the military or complete two years of college.

I have one major question about this proposed act: Is it fair to equate military service and college attendance?

Individuals serving in the U.S. armed forces are literally putting their lives on the line for their comrades in arms and the people the United States.

Individuals attending college are obtaining an education for their personal benefit at no risk to themselves.

Individuals serving in the U.S. armed forces serve the United States of America each and every day that they are in the military.

Service to the United States is not an integral part of college and, in fact, individuals attending college may join radical groups that agitate for the legalization of all illegal aliens, call for a return of the Southwest to Mexico, and even oppose military recruiters on campus.

Members of the armed forces go on combat missions.

College students go to football games.

The families of the men and women serving in the armed forces sacrifice for and serve this nation.

The families of college students focus on their personal lives.

Members of the armed forces enlist for a fixed period and they must complete their commitments with an honorable discharge. In addition, after completing their active duty commitment, they may have reserve commitments and be subject to recall for up to six years. Unlike college students, they cannot drop out prior to meeting their full active duty and reserve obligations.

Under the proposed law, college students would not even be required to get a bachelor's degree. They could qualify for permanent residency after just two years and stop attending college at any time without any further obligations.

As a veteran, the father of a soldier, and as a person who has the privilege of working with the members of our military in some of the world's most dangerous areas, I quite frankly resent the DREAM Act's equating two years of college attendance with military service.

Far from being a dream, this proposed act is an insult to all those who have served, who currently serve, and who will serve in America's military services and to the families who love and support them.
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