by Nancy Bondurant Jones

In helping launch this great nation, Thomas Jefferson set forth the startling idea that this would be a nation where, for the first time, “all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” And he added that the government was responsible to see that its citizens secured those rights. The Holy Bible is even more succinct: “We are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25).

Yet I fear our current government may be remiss by denying potential citizens these “unalienable rights.” The case of Maria Martinez is only one example from about 65,000 young people across the nation who no longer can pursue “the unalienable rights of liberty and happiness” (“Time for a ‘Dream,’” Sept. 23).

The children of immigrants, on graduation from high school, are suddenly denied access to further education and hopes for citizenship. Why? They bear the title of “undocumented immigrant.”

They were brought here years ago as children by their parents, allowed to stay and go to school until they graduated. Having been raised as Americans, they want to become citizens, continue their education or enter the military, work and live ordinary lives.

Yet they suddenly face barriers to higher education or jobs and often live in fear of immigration authorities returning them to a country they scarcely remember. Once there, they are denied entry to the U.S. for 10 years — heavy punishment for the decisions of their parents years earlier.

The National Immigration Law Center posits that deportation “of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a commitment to hard work and a strong desire to be contributing members of our society… will cause America to lose a vital asset.” If you think this is not a local concern, I have a few local statistics: as of the 2006-2007 school year, there were 44 foreign languages spoken in Harrisonburg’s schools; Spanish first, with Russian and Kurdish next.

In 1993-94, 160 students were the 5 percent of the whole student body. By 2006-2007, there were 1,658 such students, 38 percent of the student body.

Those students have lived here most of their lives and consider themselves part of this nation. They want to become legal citizens, extend their education and become productive members of society.

But our current immigration law has no mechanism to consider the special circumstances of such students although they dream of a better life that they’re willing to work for.

Recognizing this problem, in 2001 Congress introduced the DREAM Act — Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors. Illinois Sens. Richard Durbin and Indiana’s Richard Lugar, plus Reps.

Howard Berman of California and Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida offered this legislation to solve the growing problem.

Its bipartisan backers return to our roots to support the idea that undocumented youth could be eligible for a conditional path to citizenship in exchange for a mandatory two years in higher education or military service. Furthermore, they must demonstrate good moral character and stay in residency. The DREAM Act Portal returns us to Jefferson’s dream.

The DREAM Act has garnered 48 Senate co-sponsors and more than 152 House co-sponsors. In May 2006, it passed the full Senate as part of the Comprehensive Immigrant Reform Act of 2006 but was held up in the House. Yet the legislation continues to attract bipartisan support and now enjoys the backing of the House and Senate leadership, the relevant committee chairs and the President.

Some readers will question whether this act gives special advantages to those students. The DREAM Act is not a free pass. All young people — immigrant or American — face the same education, military or work requirements and obstacles and will contribute taxes equally. They will contribute to their community on many fronts, just as our ancestors from England, France, Spain, Russia, etc.

My hope is that citizens of the Shenandoah Valley will also back the DREAM Act by sending their endorsements to Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner and Rep. Bob Goodlatte. Please spread the word to those who have not been made aware of the awesome effort being made to support the “unalienable rights” of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Nancy Bondurant Jones lives in Harrisonburg.