Dream Act was yellow brick road to American Oz

"Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas anymore."

U. S. immigrant students must have had the same reaction when Congress defeated the Dream Act, "I don't think we are in America anymore."

The bill would have made it possible for 2.1 million high school students, brought to the United States by their unauthorized immigrant parents, to have a path to legalization, on a provisional basis, with the opportunity to attend college or join the armed services.

During the same week, I saw The Wizard of Oz on TV for the first time since watching it over and over with my children years ago. I marveled at the beauty, innocence, and the dream it inspires in all children. But for a moment I wasn't sure if I wasn't watching Congress debate the Dream Act; it had all the same characters, the straw man with no brain, the tin man with no heart, and the lion with no courage.

The Dream Act, like the "Oz" show, let children imagine that with hope, persistence, charity for the weak, and by following the yellow brick road, they could fulfill their dreams. Missing in the debate was the optimistic character, Dorothy, who believed if she followed the yellow brick road, she could have the Wizard of Oz help her get home. Along the way, she inspired the tin man, the straw man and the lion to have hope that if they traveled to meet The Wizard of Oz he would grant them their wish, to have a heart, a brain and courage.

Unfortunately, Congress showed no heart or brain; they lacked compassion for the students and doused the hopes of what parents and teachers teach all children — that if they study, persevere and work hard, they can achieve their dreams. Congress gave no thought about the human toll on students when their dreams are dashed; failed to see the students that will contribute to our nation's economy and protect our freedom; and lost an opportunity for our home-grown workers, professionals, inventors of tomorrow.

America has an aging and shrinking workforce; the good news is the new workforce is more diverse and comprised of minorities, immigrants and future inventors. They will be part of the next generation contributing to the wellbeing of the baby boomer generation. They are a growing consumer group, the ones buying homes, baby clothes, autos and appliances. They are our investment in our future. Our nation's glass is half full, but Congress, unlike Dorothy, saw it half empty.