This being a census year, the United States should get a pretty good estimate at exactly how many immigrants are currently living in this country. The government should realize that the Latino population is the biggest minority group, and it should realize that the Latino population is the fastest growing population. Immigrants aren’t going anywhere. Trying, at all costs, to get rid of all immigrants is just not going to work. The government should instead focus on how to help immigrants assimilate into the US so that it can CAPITALIZE on opportunities instead of be hurt from immigrants.
Let me set up a common situation. Teens brought to the United States by their parents in hope of a better life. These teens have all the dreams in the world, all the potential in the world as well. They are ready for their share of the American Dream. But then reality happens. The drop-out rate and gang-affiliation rate for Hispanics is ridiculous. Why?
It’s simple conditioning: if there is positive reinforcement for any action, the subject will naturally gravitate towards that action. While a typical teen knows that if he/she works hard he/she will be able to go to college/get a good job , an immigrant teen realizes that dreams can be just that—dreams. The U.S. can’t expect its Hispanic youth to be extremely motivated to do well in school and stay out of gangs if there is no support for them to achieve: Where are the incentives for hard work? Gangs are hurting our economy, our politics, our streets, and our lives. But gangs are a problem that can be fixed; they are just a problem of a lack of incentives.
Here’s where the Dream Act can come in. It will ideally provide a goal for thousands and thousands of immigrants. There will be no reason to fall into the vices that are connected with lower socio-economic backgrounds; there will be an achievable dream; there will be an opportunity to give back; there will be goal to improve the Nation that raised us. There will be a reason for that 14 year old immigrant to study until his eyes fall off instead of rolling up his right pant leg. There will be one more success story.
Agent AM