Gallup results on DREAM Act warrant closer look

Proponents of the oft-rewritten DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) point to Gallup Poll results published on Friday as proof Americans support the DREAM Act. However, the question posed and the results actually warrant a closer look.

According to the Gallup announcement, the question was set up on the premise of an issue referendum—the respondents could theoretically vote on this and other key issues on election day. Respondents were asked if they were for or against the law. The DREAM Act was the first presented and it was described in a general manner. “First, would you vote for or against a law that would allow illegal immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to gain resident status if they join the military or go to college?”

That’s a concept, not a law. And it certainly doesn’t address a number of provisions within the DREAM Act. Nor does that question address the fiscal consequences. Respondents weren’t told taxpayers would likely subsidize the costs; nor were they told that several versions of DREAM permitted federal grants, student loans and work-study jobs.

Respondents weren’t told the increased numbers of students could displace others at community colleges. Unintended consequences such as increased competition for summer/seasonal part-time jobs weren’t mentioned.

Nor were they told the Act itself creates a paradox in terms of law enforcement. Even if the path is set for these students, they would theoretically still have access to the consulate in their home country if they committed a crime—the Avena decision is not even addressed in any versions of the DREAM Act. That particular International Court of Justice decision impacted the cases of 51 foreign nationals on death row for serious crimes.

Americans are not being informed about the costs of the Act and this was a problem with the 1986 Amnesty as well.

Ironically another response in the same poll hasn’t been publicized at all.

Gallup results showed the majority of Americans want to ban earmarks.

The Gallup Poll on the DREAM Act and other issues warrants a closer look, in the interest of educating a public that has been told very little about the actual specifics and fiscal impact of such an act.

Related Article

Estimating the Impact of the DREAM Act
The Center for Immigration Studies

(Commentary by Kay B. Day/Dec. 11, 2010)