DREAM Act-Resolution from South Carolina Educators

As part of the educational community in South Carolina, we strongly support the bipartisan DREAM Act, which was recently introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin. The DREAM Act would give many young people who came to this country as children a chance to gain permanent legal status. This change could help them reach their full potential and be free to use their skills and initiative to improve both our state and nation.

South Carolina has one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in the nation, and immigrants, both 1st and 2nd generation, are making up a larger portion of our K-12 population. However, due to current legal restrictions, many of these young people are unable to pursue higher education in our state. This reality is preventing South Carolina institutions of higher education from reaching their full potential by keeping a talented and diverse group of students out. The current structure could also discourage many students from pursuing academic excellence at the K-12 level due to the lack of access to further study.

The current absence of opportunities for these young people is not only unfair and damaging to their individual lives, it is also hurting our state, particularly our educational institutions. It is also damaging our business sector by preventing these young people, many who speak multiple languages, from fully contributing to our great state. We are fearful that if the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program is dismantled without a replacement, it could put many of the young people with DACA status in a particularly vulnerable position. It could also create a degree of uncertainty and chaos for those who are already enrolled in higher education or are planning to do so.

Our plea is both out of compassion and self-interest. We on one hand have a strong level of empathy for our students who simply want to follow their dreams and pursue careers that fit with their calling. However, we also are stating our strong support for the DREAM Act out of a self-interest in improving our educational institutions in the state. We have seen from our past that we become stronger not by shutting more people out, but by welcoming in all of those from our rapidly diversifying state. We hope that you will consider supporting this important legislation. Without question, this legislation will help South Carolina become a more economically, socially, and educationally vibrant state.