I had hoped the San Antonio Express-News would publish the following Letter to the Editor I submitted, but because of a recent editorial I co-authored with the San Antonio Food Bank and the newspaper’s “30-day restriction per non-employees or non-contract columnists,” unfortunately, they are unable to run it.  I wanted to share with you my Letter on a very important issue our nation is facing and clarify some misinformation about the DREAM Act:

"In a recent special to the Express-News, Mr. Gregory Rodriguez not only mocked the UTSA students for exercising their right to a non-violent protest but he presented misinformation about a bill that is in the best interest of our nation’s future.

"Under the bipartisan DREAM Act, children who qualify will have the opportunity to a conditional path to permanent residency in the U.S. after completing two years of college or serving in the U.S. Military.  These are not conditions that reward “temper tantrums,” like Mr. Rodriguez suggests.  They are acts of honor and commitment for a country these students consider their one and only home.

"Moreover, Mr. Rodriguez’s advice that these students should simply join the military or apply for citizenship speaks to his lack of knowledge of current immigration laws. Only legal permanent residents and citizens can join the military and a student’s undocumented status virtually precludes him or her from taking advantage of any employer- or family-based immigration visas available.  This leaves hardworking children without any viable options, even though most were brought at an age when they had no say in the matter and have since overcome language barriers and even poverty.

"Mr. Rodriguez is correct in saying that we are a nation of laws, but we are also the land of opportunity.  Our shores attract some of the world’s best young talent, we make available an education, but then we deny them the opportunity to reach their full potential here.  Unlike their US-born classmates, these students - which include valedictorians, class presidents and other honor students - do not have the same opportunities to pursue higher education, join the military, or apply for professional jobs. They are tomorrow’s innovators, educators and entrepreneurs and we are simply undermining the opportunity for a future generation of successful leaders.

"The chance to pass this measure is now and both Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid have signaled their support for bringing up the DREAM Act during the lame duck session in Congress.  We must find a way to work together, starting with this bill, so that we can continue to work towards reaching a comprehensive solution, one that reforms our broken immigration system by addressing all of its flaws."