What the Dreamers Can Teach the Parkland Kids

Dreamers are not Americans. You become an American one of two ways, 1) you are born here. 2) You apply to become a legal resident and then, when the proscribed time period has elapsed, you apply for citizenship. Just because you've been here since childhood doesn't mean you can stay. If you and your parents have ignored our immigration laws because they were "inconvenient" what other laws are you going to ignore?

Your mean-spirited cynicism is not becoming. I'm pretty sure that your ancestors weren't beamed here from outer space.

Adults are conservative and fearful because they have something to lose. You don’t. Did you ever ask your parents why they didn’t bother to become citizens?

Illegal immigrants are not social models or heroes. With kids brought here young it is a bit different. There is no fault, and I am not adverse to letting them stay, but the means of it must be shut down so as not to create more Dreamers. The act of entry is not such a terrible thing, but what you have to do to stay is certainly a federal crime. Fake ID anyone? This is a terrible problem that affects us all, and like Donn L. in San Francisco, it seems to me that the "social activism" of the Dreamers is to benefit themselves (first, then their parents and family members). Why don't they instead look to their parents and cry "Why did you bring me here?"

What the Parkland students can teach the American citizen majority? To stage nation wide protests and rallies to restore our democracy that’s being removed by Tsar Trump and his courtiers who are contemptuous of Rule of Law. When will the mass of fed-up, disgusted, outraged Americans assert themselves and flex their democratic muscle? Is our white middle class uncomfortable doing that? Too proud? It's only for unfortunate people in dictatorships---if they dare? Or in US for "marginalized" groups, underpaid workers, or racial minorities? Middle class America doesn't want to be identified low status groups. But how convenient that is for the extreme rw GOP dominating our 3 branches and most states. Let’s face it-- our govt isn't working for us. Too many lawmakers are in it for what they can get out of it, and the S. Court interprets the Constitution any way they want. (Citizens United--money is 1st Amend 'free speech') Polls show the policies most of us want can't be translated into political action---re taxes, guns, jobs, health care, retirement, equal justice, etc. It's the mega donors who set policy limits. Enter Trump, authoritarian egotist, distorting every issue. It will get worse. Let those eloquent, courageous youngsters from the Florida Parkland high school and across the nation set a positive role model for the rest of Americans ---1st with protests for gun safety--so we can live out our lifespan. Then assert majority political influence in the USA.

Thank you, and don't read the comments! The strength, intelligence, and creativity of immigrants who live in this country enrich us all regardless of their level of education or legal status. Without the generations of immigrants, including my grandparents and including you and your parents, our nation would be nothing but a fossil.

As the author notes, “it’s been 17 years since the introduction of the Dream Act and it still has not passed.” That dismal record is not surprising because most Americans do not support illegal immigration. In the other hand, the vast majority of Americans support school safety. There is a consensus on the issue as demonstrated by Florida passing a gun control bill. The author is conflating and attempting to use the gripping imagery of students appealing for safety in their schools. The Dreamers have nothing to teach the Parkland kids. The Parkland kids should continue their galvanizing movement.

I personally don't want the Dreamers giving "advice" to my kids. Their parents broke the law. They think they should be entitled to a free pass to get into our country and stay here because they are "special." They aren't special. I have many friends from other countries who have toiled and worked their way through our system waiting sometimes for many years. The Dreamers send the wrong message - if your parents break the law it's okay if the outcome is what you want. Terrible way to teach people right from wrong.

As many of the comments here have shown, it's a good idea to not read comments, especially if they insult your right to exist as who you are. Thanks Gaby, I hope that in the not distance future we will have a sensible, compassionate immigration policy. No one should have their life ruined over Congress' failure to act (and we can say largely the GOP portion of Congress).

Many colleges and universities accept undocumented immigrants. Texas permits undocumented immigrants who reside in Texas to pay in-state tuition. Since most undocumented immigrants are Latino, most get affirmative action preference in college admission. And at schools with holistic admission policies, most get extra points for overcoming hardships.

Basically nothing is the correct answer. The dreamers had a great deal handed to them yet their so called supporters declined to take it. Those children in Parkland need to learn the constitution, and legal process, not ineffective protests like say occupy wall street etc.

With privilege comes responsiblity. A successful movement ensures that all voices are heard and focuses on inclusive empowerment. Don't forget to listen to your allies as well as you will need them to pass your agenda. Adults today have a different perspective on guns because we didn't have to worry about school shootings. As a result we have a tendency to be dismissive of the concerns of young people who have experienced a much different school experience that is a lot less safe than what we enjoyed. We're slower to embrace change but that doesn't mean you're wrong, it just means we're set in our ways and have accepted the status quo. Keep pushing. The civil rights movement, LGBT rights movement, and womens rights movement didn't happen overnight. It took generations for attitudes to change and acceptance of those rights to be the rule rather than the exception. I would suggest that the parkland kids also look towards MADD which managed to change our attitudes towards drunk driving by making it a public health crisis. They changed laws across the country gradually until we reached a point where drunk driving was no longer allowed.

DACA supporters are invariably portrayed in the media as being high minded. But it's pretty clear that "progressive" Dreamers themselves are just people who are trying to advance policies that are best for them and for their ethnic tribe (including Carlos, Juan and Felipe in the article). It's no more complicated than that.

Social justice does not mean our immigration laws are made by foreigners.

Rational gun control laws have nothing to do with illegal aliens. The two are completely unrelated.

"Don't read the comments." In other words don't listen to the American public. They might tell you the truth. The truth is most Americans are tired of the Dems and their obsession with this issue. We are tired of having our schools and our neighborhoods flooded with illegals and their ungrateful grown up children. We are tired of being told to learn Spanish just to get a job. We are tired of being told this is not our country and that we have no right to have immigration laws without first vetting them with illegals. Most of all, we're tired of being called racists when we dare object to your self serving agenda and your mistaken belief that law abiding American citizens should not be allowed to have a say in our immigration laws. Your poisonous identity politics are why Dems lose.

Even for the Times this is ridiculous. Illegals have nothing to do with gun control. American teens wanting safety in their own schools has nothing to do with a thirty-three year old Ecuadorian overstaying a visa and refusing to return home.

You are not undocumented. You are a citizen of another country. You have no status. You certainly don't have the right to demand anything from the citizens of our country. Immigration reform needs to mean the American public gets to dictate our immigration laws not foreign nationals and their uninvited offspring. Go home. Demand changes there.

Why does every single issue ever have to somehow to be related to the alleged right of illegals to break our laws?

I didn't see any mention of an effort to acquire legal status in the USA. Is that not possible? How can a "Dreamer" attain American citizenship?

miss Pacheco thank you for your work and especially for linking in your oped to the history podcast on the trail of tears

Gaby, thank you for your wonderful supportive letter and for the hard work you and others have attempted for equality and the right to be a part of the US. We so need others like you and those who have marched with you. All who march for Democracy and change need to come together as one to make that change from the old, the wealthy, those who refuse to yield their voice to others. The kids are of course correct, guns kill people and having reasonable gun control will definitely save lives. Continue to be there for them, they need you experience.

Gaby, you're conflating issues and attempting to co-opt the movement started in Parkland. Also, there is no reason why illegal families of Dreamers should also be given a pass. The message throughout the world would be: sneak yourselves and your kids into the U.S. for a free ticket to the American Dream. There would be no end to it.

I am hoping to organize a rally of illegal immigrants from other countries here in my city. I believe everyone, including foreign citizens have a right to express their political views to influence our political leaders and influence the next US elections. We need to mobilize these non citizens to go online and encourage US citizens to vote for Democrat Party candidates just as Gaby has done. Can you imagine the political influence the millions of illegal immigrants and Dreamers can bring to bear to sow discord and disrupt the Republican Party, I urge all illegal immigrants to go online and express your displeasure with Republicans on Facebook and all social media.

What seems to be a common theme with gun control and the Dreamers is that after a big story that catches the attention of the media, such as such as a mass shooting or pending immigration legislation, these issues quickly drop off the radar. Just look at the Vegas shooting that left 58 people dead and 851 injured and how soon after that tragedy of such enormous proportions was out of sight and sadly probably very much out of mind for most people, until Parkland brought the topic back to the fore. Maybe it will be different with Parkland with so many young people involved, but it seems that much more ongoing work and fundraising needs to be done. Perhaps by lobbying sympathetic reporters, and with an ongoing PR campaign to help keep these critically important stories in the news, it will continue tug at enough voter heartstrings, and put enough pressure on politicians, to lead to substantive change.

The dreamers say they are "unafraid" but their churlish insistence that they are above America's immigration laws belies that statement. If they really want to show us their courage they should return to their nation's of origin and create positive change there where it's needed most. The Parkland kids should look to the great Americans of the Civil Rights and women's suffrage movements if they want viable inspiration.

Depressing to read that both republicans & democrats didn't pass the dream act after 17 years ,Obama like the republicans today had both chambers of congress and the White House for few years and still nothing happened, who has a rational explanation for that one ?

I hope you read my comment. I too am an immigrant from Ecuador. I came here in 1965 when I was five; luckily I was sponsored by my American uncle. I hope the DACA situation is straightened out soon and in your favor. Thank you for writing this column. I’ve seen you on news programs and didn’t know your story.

Hey, folks, this is an article about making change happen in a very American way. The author is reaching out to young people and extending wisdom about wise and civilized approaches to democratic change. I'm seeing more "citizenship" demonstrated (and described) here then in the divisive anti-immigrant comments posted by indignant "citizens". Citizenship is a verb not a noun. Gaby's actions speak louder than words and convince me that the young following in her footsteps WILL make America great again.

This is a very interesting idea. Dreamers and others who have marched giving advice to the young people who are protesting and trying to change the gun culture. The Parkland kids who met with teens in Chicago are smart and compassionate. The writer of this op-ed is pointing a way toward real change and doing so with courage and generosity. Thank you, Gaby!

How many years has Ms. Pacheco been in the US illegally? Has she made any efforts to actually become legal? Is she a citizen yet? Or is she still after all these years with "deferred deportation status"? She came as a tourist and her parents bought an apartment in advance. She and her family have flouted just about every legal procedure. That does not appear to be a role model for anyone.

I remember how proud and excited JB was when he earned his US citizenship following Reagan's 1986 amnesty. He was a productive worker, and a loving parent. He had to prove that he was here illegally, and therefore qualified for amnesty. Then he had to take classes and pay fees to become a US citizen. We all assumed that illegal immigration was a problem that had then been solved. The last line of the article exemplifies the problem, " . . . and the next generation of Dreamers fill me with hope." There needs to stop being 'next generations' of people illegally entering the country. We are entitled as a nation to have an orderly and organized immigration policy. Two or three billion people would love to come to this country. That just is not possible. US citizens are underemployed and underpaid. Not many people think that working for Uber is a great career move. Too many of our own citizens need better work opportunities and yes we should put them first. If you pay them enough, someone will cut your lawn and someone will pick tomatoes in the fields. Just pay them enough.

Yes, politicians always attempt to co-opt youth movements. It makes them look better and more in touch with the up and coming generation. But I think you're overlooking how much the political atmosphere in DC has affected the ability of either party or any politician to get anything accomplished at all. It was very hard during the Civil Rights movement and there the needs were obvious. Here many people are saying that undocumented immigrants are committing a crime by being here or by having crossed into this country without the proper papers. You grew up here but you don't have a path to citizenship. We need to build one and the problem there is that there a lot of naturalized citizens who resent the very idea. They had to wait and pay their dues. It seems to them that you're not; instead you get to skip ahead. That's not true because you've been here for years but again, not legally. I hope that you are not deported. I understand why your parents brought you here. But we have to find a way to prevent the constant creation of exceptions for undocumented immigrants. It means that our politicians have to risk offending the business community by saying that if this is done they cannot continue to knowingly hire illegal immigrants and underpay them. And that is a large problem because most businesses like cheap labor that they can control.