Assessing a ‘Dreamer’
Utilizing talent
Regarding “College paved path to American dream” (Page A35, Sunday), thank you for presenting the inspiring story of Julissa Arce, one of the first beneficiaries of the Texas Dream Act, which made undocumented immigrants eligible for in-state tuition and financial aid (Outlook, Sunday, Oct. 23).
Perhaps the most important line in the excerpt is what Arce’s uncle told her: “Congratulations, but remember that you earned this.” She was in the top 5 percent of her high school class. No doubt the usual suspects will be writing in protesting that state funds should be reserved for “Real Americans.” They forget that Texas obtains much of its revenue from regressive sales taxes, paid by undocumented students and their parents such as Arce’s family and just like everyone else. If they’re working on fake Social Security cards, they’re subsidizing a system they’re unlikely to collect from. The conservative Heritage Foundation estimates that unauthorized immigrants pay $7 billion a year toward Social Security; other estimates run much higher. Mexico doesn’t send anyone to the U.S.; they come of their own volition, and lately as many have been going back as are coming in.
If we fail to utilize talents like Arce’s, who graduated with honors from UT but only obtained a green card through marriage, we have no brains. One more reason why this fall’s election is so important. Walter D. Kamphoefner, Bryan