As a new and proud U.S. citizen from Texas, I had the opportunity to travel across the country to advocate for the DREAM Act at the National DREAM Graduation in Washington D.C. The DREAM Act is a proposed legislation that if passed will result in many associated socioeconomic benefits like an increase in tax-revenues, the promotion of an educated and competitive workforce and additions to our armed forces. The beneficiaries of this proposed law would be those brought to the United States as minors, have been educated in the American system with some already holding professional degrees and have no criminal records. They are the children all states invest so much in educating from K to12 and as a tax paying citizen it baffles me that after such a large investment we are reluctant to bring them into the tax paying system and collect the state’s due return on investment. Many cry that “they are already taking so much from our nation;” yet those same critics refuse to give them a viable venue to pay back. Being from Texas and working in the oil field I understand the importance of tapping our resources and DREAM Act beneficiaries are just that, untapped resources. They are the untapped resources that our U.S. labor market and U.S. armed forces needs; therefore we must allow them to contribute to the country, as they so desire.

I am a strong advocate of this bill because like all DREAM Act beneficiaries I was brought to this country as child and because four years ago I was a University of Texas graduate and a would-be-DREAM Act beneficiary. Unlike most DREAM Act beneficiaries my fate took a turn for the better when I met my wife and thus adjusted my immigration status. Today I am a full contributing member of society working as a Petroleum Engineer for an international oil & gas operator while pursuing my master’s degree at the University of Texas. I am a responsible tax payer and home owner of two properties, however, had I not met my wife in college I would have either continued to mow yards for a living or gone back to Mexico to put my degree to use; neither which would have been of benefit to the U.S., the country that educated me.

With that in mind, not all students are as fortunate as I am and the only hope for many students to become recognized contributing members of society is through the DREAM Act. Our country needs to deal with healthcare, the economy and immigration; the DREAM Act is one venue that tackles all three issues. In regards to healthcare, the DREAM Act would help our country meet its need for healthcare professionals brought about by the aging baby boomers. The economy would greatly benefit in the long term from the tax-revenue that all of the beneficiaries would contribute as professionals and no longer as low-wage employees. Finally in regards to immigration, this proposal will not completely eradicate the flaws in our immigration system but it would be an important first step to reforming it in a feasible, realistic and profitable manner.

Endorsements from American icons of capitalism and education, Microsoft, College Board and flagship universities have highlighted the DREAM Act’s direct impact on our nation’s human capital. With such endorsements of the DREAM Act it would only makes sense for U.S. congress members and the President to take the leadership in supporting this bill as well. Every day this first step is not taken is one more day the U.S. is losing out on its investments so to expedite our country’s due return on investment we have to move forward with the DREAM Act.