The DREAM Act, which would provide permanent residency to immigrants brought into the country as children who fulfill certain requirements, has been controversial since its introduction in 2001 and remains one of the focal points of the immigration debate. The Onion outlines the myths and facts surrounding the DREAM Act:

MYTH: Dreamers will take educational opportunities from U.S. students.

FACT: The last educational opportunity available to U.S. students disappeared in 1991.




MYTH: The DREAM Act rewards illegal behavior.

FACT: The provision granting expedited citizenship for Dreamers who could prove they’d committed multiple murders was removed in 2013.




MYTH: American taxpayers will have to pay for Dreamers’ education costs.

FACT: America has an $800 billion military budget.



MYTH: Outspoken support for the DREAM Act is a purely political maneuver by congressional Democrats.


FACT: Congressional Democrats don’t know how to devise political maneuvers.



MYTH: President Trump is against the Dreamers.

FACT: The president recognizes how important it is to protect these kids, who through no fault of their own can be used as leverage to push through destructive GOP policies.




MYTH: Immigrants come here for free healthcare.

FACT: Not even U.S. citizens have free healthcare.



MYTH: The U.S. needs to secure its borders before addressing this type of legislation.


FACT: The U.S. needs to secure a representative democracy before addressing this type of legislation.



MYTH: The DREAM Act is a woefully insufficient, temporary fix instead of pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.


FACT: This whole argument is a woefully insufficient, temporary fix instead of pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.

