DREAM Act Portal Forum - NY Dream Act- Daily News

I know this was already announced but a more official reporting from the New York Daily News. Thank God! This is Great guys , no pathway to legalization but the opportunity to study and work in NY! That's like 80% of what most of us want.

Quote:

A new bill in the state Legislature would make college life easier for undocumented immigrant students - giving them benefits like financial aid and driver's licenses.

Unlike the federal DREAM Act that died in the Senate last year, the Albany bill wouldn't provide a path to citizenship - but advocates say it would be life-changing for the more than 10,000 undocumented kids who graduate New York high schools each year.

"If this passes I know it won't grant me legal status in this country, but it will definitely give me some sort of light into the darkness I'm living in," said Tony Bravo, 22, a John Jay College sophomore brought to Brooklyn from Mexico as an infant.

The legal studies major - ineligible for federal or state financial aid - works two jobs to pay $2,600 in tuition and books each semester.

The version of the bill introduced this week by state Sen. Bill Perkins and co-sponsored by state Sen. Dan Squadron (D-Brooklyn) would give kids brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents access to state financial aid, the ability to work legally in New York, a driver's license or state ID card, and access to health care.

"We want to help fulfill the American Dream for young immigrants," said Perkins (D-Harlem).

Assemblyman Guillermo Linares (D-Washington Heights) is slated to introduce an Assembly version, Perkins said.

The bill was introduced after a massive lobbying effort by young immigrants.

"We wanted to say that our dreams are not dead," said Tania Mattos, 27, an organizer with the New York State Youth Leadership Council.

Students would have to apply for the benefits before they turn 35 and have come to the U.S. before age 16. A felony conviction would bar them.

The other requirements are either two years in college, two years in the New York National Guard or completing almost 1,000 hours of community service.

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/03/24/2011-03-24_state_bill_revives_pieces_of_dream_for_illegal_immigrants__access_to_financial_a.html

There are the usual haters in the comments, let's make our voices more heard this time to drown out their ignorance