The American Dream

Chapter 1 of The Struggle for Democracy explores the foundations of democracy and its implications. At its core, democracy is an form of government that involves rule by the people, free and fair elections, and equity among its citizens. The American Democracy is a “unique experiment,” as over 200 years ago the framers revolutionized government by creating an entirely unique formula for a well organized republic. The America we live in today is the product of those ideas, and while we tend to criticize the political climate around us and the efficacy of our elected officials, there are some instances where America can be a beacon of opportunity and liberty.

Yesterday, President Donald Trump took a stance on what to do with America’s “dreamers,” or people who came to the US illegally as children. After previously declaring that he would deport these people or would not allow a path to citizenship, either a change of heart or political opportunism has caused him to reconsider. He will provide a path to citizenship for 1.8 million immigrants. This plan prevents the immigrants from deportation and allows them to apply to become citizens within 10 to 12 years permitting they have steady jobs and have not committed any crimes. The current protections for these dreamers allotted by Obama’s DACA plan is set to expire in March, and with Donald Trump’s renewal of those protections, it seems the American dream will persevere. This appears to be an instance where democracy is working. Given the framework that a democracy has popular sovereignty, political equality, and political liberty, this is an example of it. Here the concepts of political equality and political liberty are at work. Political equality applies to citizens and states that they must be viewed as equals in the eyes of our government. Here this status is extended to illegal immigrants, and thus is not just an example of democracy but of the unique concept of America as the promise land for immigrants. Political liberty is at work too, as many Americans have used their right to free speech to advocate for pro or anti immigration statuses. Whether or not the government has factored this into their decision, the protesters and demonstrators have not been persecuted for their actions. This is democracy at work.

However, this plan has concessions. Bureaucracy is also at work in this case, as Trump has traded protection for dreamers with funding to build his promised wall.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration/trump-offers-dreamers-a-path-to-citizenship-wants-other-immigration-curbs-idUSKBN1FE2QX

10 Responses to "The American Dream"

Abigail Belcher says:

January 26, 2018 at 8:50 pm

Sara,
I am surprised to read that Trump has decided to help pave the way for immigrants to excel in America, especially with all of the hate I feel he has projected onto them while being in office (and even before he was elected). I am pleased that he is deciding to help them, although I hate that it comes at the cost of the wall. However, I guess there has to be some compromise in all types of deals, even in a democracy.
Gwynna Ryan says:

January 27, 2018 at 9:54 pm

These are all really interesting points. While it is encouraging that Trump has softened his “hard line” on immigration, that the most likely reason for this was to acquire funding for arguably the most well known of Trump’s campaign promises to build a wall between the American and Mexican border begs for an examination of this deal. Was this simply the compromise that America was built on? Or is this deal more accurately described as a quid pro quo? Is the intent of the deal in the interest of the people or is it in the interest of the politicians themselves. Trump gave up the deportation of the dreamers while congressional democrats gave up fighting the wall. I don’t know if it is clear whether any politicians involved in this deal compromised for the sake of compromising or for their own sake to fulfill campaign promises, but it is an interesting question nonetheless.
Alexander Morris says:

January 28, 2018 at 11:25 am

Sara,
very interesting article and summary here. As stated already, I am also suprsied to see this change of heart in our president. However, I really like his new view on the process of illegal immigrants and their status in our country. My family and I have a very close friend from South America who has helped in our family business for over eight years now and has become an excellent worker and someone that my family relies on heavily. He came to the america’s illegally but is one of the most outstanding workers and people we have ever met. The idea of popular sovereigyy, political liberty and political freedoms will live on. With hope in mind that in a couple of more years, our friend can become a true citizen and reconnect with his family is inspirational. The american dream lives on! Great points you made in your article.
David Shaw says:

January 28, 2018 at 1:23 pm

I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that Trump was willing to extend protection to the Dreamers, but I feel skeptical that it will become a reality any time soon because of the wall. Trump wants to drop $25 million on that project, (probably more if he weren’t striving for compromise), and I have a hard time seeing the Democrats getting on board with that expenditure, both for its potential ineffectiveness and the fact that they disagree with its message. The fact that Trump’s childish comments about Chuck Schumer following the shutdown seem to have alienated the Democratic Party leader once again only adds to the skepticism. I do endorse protection for the Dreamers so long as the circumstances are right, but I have a lot of lingering worries about this deal.
Carlin O'Neill says:

January 28, 2018 at 3:38 pm

The fact that Donald Trump is reconsidering his move to deport all illegal immigrants in favor of further protecting the Dreamers is a positive step for America, but for me it begs the question of whether Trump is doing this strictly because of his opportunistic agenda or because he’s realizing the error in his ways. His original plan to end the DACA program was met with opposition all around the country as people expressed their outrage and support of undocumented Americans, and through Trump’s regular use of social media it would have been nearly impossible for him to miss the widespread sentiment against this action. Perhaps we do not know how this change in plans will advance his own interests, but it can be hypothesized that through social media exposure Trump realized that switching his own plans might benefit himself in the long run.
Madeleine Stone says:

January 28, 2018 at 10:38 pm

When I first read about Donald Trump’s motion to extend citizenship to 1.8 million immigrants I was shocked to say the least. Especially because a major aspect of his entire presidential campaign was to “build a wall.” I see this as a positive step for America and Trump’s presidency in general. His agenda has been questioned by many people and I think this open minded decision that Trump made will only benefit both America and his presidency. I agree that we see a great aspect of democracy here. People all around the world dream about living I America and living the American dream because of the principles we pride ourselves on and I think thats something we as a country should embrace. I really appreciate your views on this and that it was brought up for discussion.
Joanna Briand says:

January 28, 2018 at 11:52 pm

Thank you so much for your post, Sara. I think you brought up some interesting examples of how our democracy is aimed towards maintaining popular sovereignty, political equality, and political liberty; however, it often seems as though our country takes one step forward but then another step back in the current volatile political climate.
I think it is interesting that Trump is still so intent on building this wall even after DHS officials have stated that simply fencing the country will not solve any problems. A wall can be climbed over or tunneled under. It seems as though many Americans understand this, which makes it all the more frustrating to watch our nation’s leader continue to push for the construction.
Virginia Myers says:

January 28, 2018 at 11:58 pm

Sara,

Thank you for your post. As previous people mentioned, I am also surprised by his decision to extend the dreamers program given his previous actions and remarks – particularly about deciding to build the wall. I wonder how the disapproval about the president from the right wing Republicans will grow if the Democrats decide to accept the program. Plus, of course, the program comes with a catch – Trump wants to slash legal immigration and wants $25 billion to build a border wall. What’s the message here? Trump’s comments and decisions are putting our nation’s security in jeopardy. This makes me think, does government work? Does OUR government work? We have elected an official who makes decisions many of us strongly disagree with…yet we can’t do anything about it.
Paige Jordan says:

January 30, 2018 at 5:27 pm

Trump’s reconsideration regarding the citizenship of America’s “dreamers” is definitely a positive step for our country. However, the question of his incentives for preventing a deportation he once strongly supported does arise. Sara, you mention how Trump’s plan to renew the protections under DACA exemplify an instance of democracy at work. I agree with your stance that it is popular sovereignty, political equality and political liberty that constitute a democracy, and moreover Trump’s reconsideration is perhaps a representation of these principles. Popular sovereignty is such that the people are the ultimate source of government authority, and that the government acts in ways that reflects their wants. I previously raised the question of Trump’s motives to decide to support Obama’s plan when his campaign had a great focus on his plans regarding the illegal citizens of the US. It would be opportunistic to believe that it was indeed the workings of democracy, and that the backlash and opposition the American public portrayed had ultimately caused a change in the president’s policy. However, it is justified to say so due to the principles that this country was founded on, principles deeply rooted in the power of the people.
Santiago Rivas says:

January 30, 2018 at 10:35 pm

As many people mentioned before, it is a good move to extend the DREAM Act for illegal immigrants in the US, since most of these students have grown up in the culture of the US and have little connection to the countries they came from as children. However, the fact that part of the funding is going to the building of the border wall sends a mixed message to those following his steps. Extending DACA but at the same time using funds to build the wall projects a political message that, in some way, contradicts itself. I wonder if this was made on purpose to allow for the Democrats to accept the proposed plan, while at the same time pushing for his campaign agenda in order to prepare for the future elections and not lose support from his voters.

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