Artifact Three: The Dream is Now

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The Dream is Now tells the story of four young adults, all of which are recent immigrants to the United States. Alejandro desperately wants to join the marines, yet lacks the necessary documents to join; Ola is researching cancer treatments at the University of Michigan, but could soon be deported; Jose has a degree in mechanical engineering but is unable to use it due to his immigration status; and Erika is a proud leader of the DREAM movement although she fears her mother might be deported. 

Throughout the film we see the struggles each of these four extraordinary individuals go through and how the DREAM Act would benefit them. The DREAM Act, first introduced in 2001 is a piece of legislature that would allow undocumented youth of "good moral character" who arrived in the States at a young age and have lived here for at least five years a chance to gain legal status. By joining the military of getting a degree from a four-year U.S. university, they would be given a six-year temporary resident card. During the six years they may apply for a permanent resident card, and, eventually, gain citizenship. 

When I first heard about the DREAM Act I didn't fully understand what it was. I thought it was basically a free pass into the country for all undocumented minors; something I didn't really support. Yes, I believe we should make the immigration process easier, but people should have to prove themselves to get in. However, once I fully understood what it was, I was completely in support of it. If someone has the skills and the drive to do something extraordinary and improve our economy, why not let them? Take Jose for example. When he got his degree in mechanical engineering from Arizona there was a shortage of mechanical engineers in the state. However, Jose wasn't allowed to apply for any of the jobs due to his undocumented status and is now a construction worker. What a waste of talent! Jose has a needed skill and by letting it go to waste we're not only hurting him, but our economy too. 

In The Distance Between Us Reyna is put in a similar situation to most of the DREAMers. Hard working and talented, Reyna has all the qualities necessary for success, yet she is undocumented. This ends up being a nonissue for her in the end because her stepmother's legal status allows Reyna and her family to get Green Cards. Had Reyna not been fortunate enough to be granted legal status, it would've been a lot harder for her to go to university and eventually become a teacher. 

I am also in a similar boat to Reyna in that I could've benefited from the DREAM Act, but was fortunate enough to be granted citizenship as a minor. My parents are British and Australian, and I was born in Hong Kong, so my family and I (well, mainly my dad) have a fair amount of experience with the U.S. Office of Immigration. Luckily, my parents were both born in countries that gave them plenty of opportunities; opportunities that later helped them get our visas. Had my parents been born average citizens in Mexico, Albania, or even Russia, I would be stressing about what to put on the citizenship portion of college applications just like the kids in The Dream is Now. 

I've always believed in helping the less fortunate (again with the 'because that could be me' thing), but I feel that reading The Distance Between Us and watching The Dream is Now further helped me understand and sympathize with the plight many of the immigrants in this country have to go through. 

If you would like to watch The Dream is Now click here.