State Ed. gets behind DREAM Act

Sen. Bill Perkins, D-Harlem, who sponsored the state Senate's version of the Dream bill (S.4179) said this endorsement by the state Education Department could be the impetus needed to pass his bill. The bill is sponsored in the Assembly (A.6829) by Guillermo Linares, D-Manhattan, who did not return several phone calls for this article.

Perkins said, "Their efforts as well as our efforts ... obviously moves the ball forward in terms of recognizing those undocumented youth in New York and in the United States that are looking for higher education opportunities."

Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz, chairman of the Assembly Puerto Rican and Hispanic Task Force, said, "By joining the pro-Dream Act movement, New York State's education leaders are exhibiting our state's commitment to supporting educational opportunities for all students. Every child, anywhere in our world, deserves an education." The task force will continue its effort to win support for the the state bill, Ortiz said.

If the state bill passes, it would not only provide financial assistance for higher education for undocumented students, but other benefits as well — access to state-funded loans and scholarships, a driver's license or other state identification, work opportunities and health insurance in New York state.

Relating to the federal bill, Director of the New York State Interfaith Network for Immigration Reform Diane Steinman, said, "It is a vision in which the values of justice, fairness, compassion and opportunity for all become paramount for Congressional leaders and they at long last pass the DREAM Act, so young undocumented immigrants can follow their dreams and help build the America of tomorrow."

Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, Chung-Wha Hong, said, "As an institutional body dedicated to ensuring educational success for all the state's children, the Board of Regents sent an important message: that the future of our country depends on helping all our children reach their potential, regardless of immigration status."

"The support of the New York State Regents for these students is not a symbolic gesture ... it tells our young students and those who educate them that there are people in power who have not forgotten them and who care about them deeply," said Claire Sylvan, executive director and president at Internationals Networks for Public Schools.

In both the state Senate and Assembly versions of the bill, "undocumented" is defined as a student without a valid immigration Visa. The state bill focuses solely on the population of undocumented students in the state rather than the 2 million around the country, making it much more narrowly defined, Perkins said.

There are many specific requirements an undocumented student would have to meet in order to qualify for assistance under the state version of the bill. Students must hold a high school diploma or GED certificate, have entered the country before age 16, be under the age of 35, not have been convicted of a felony in any U.S. state or territory and have resided in New York for at least two years before the effective date of section 2 of the bill. In addition, students must enroll or be enrolled in a college or university in New York and have completed at least two years toward a four-year degree within six years or serve at least two years in the National Guard or complete 910 hours of certified community service, according to the Senate version of the bill.

As far as the chances of the bill passing next session, Perkins said he doesn't want to be overly optimistic. "We'll see," he said.

As for the federal bill, King said he is hopeful Congress will "see the logic" in making sure that qualified young people, regardless of their citizenship status, can be given the necessary tools to pursue higher education and "participate in the job market and contribute to our economy and our democracy ... I think when you hear the stories of individual students and talk to their families and their teachers and their principals, it is very hard to justify denying opportunities to these kids ... They are eager to be a part of the fabric of the country."


http://www.legislativegazette.com/Ar...DREAM-Act.html

how come we dont get that in the California Dream Act??

It's not a definite that it's going to pass, and if they want it to pass they might have to drop the license part. A lot of people are going to have a problem with the license specially the loans

It's nice that New York is even thinking about advancing this type of bill. I wish California would try to pass something similar.

In California, I have come across hardcore conservatives who say they would rather allow Dreamers to work than give them access to financial aid.

Isn't that what we prefer? To be able to work? I prefer to be given the chance to work, support myself though and after college, pay my share of taxes so I don't become a scapegoat for where all the Tax revenue goes for this country.

Yes, that's what I prefer. Forget about financial aid. I want work authorization, so I don't have to work crappy jobs.

^this + infinity!!


-i dont want to feel like its a charity. Whats messed up about that is they end up blaming Us on why the economy is fucked up. All we need is a chance to improve not only for ourselves but for this country also. I mean dreamers that are itching to drive and get a car, or get a house. imagine the revenues that this country will get from that.

So no specifics on how to get the driver's license? Dang.

I have a social security too, I just don't have the proper status...

That's the next step for Gil Cedillo (he wrote the California Dream Act). He has been trying since 1998, but it has always failed according to Wikipedia. He hasn't proposed anything yet, but its in the plans.

I know wikipedia is not the best source, but if you google "SB 60 california" you will find websites like these:
http://www.petitiononline.com/casb60/petition.html
http://www.cehwiedel.com/blogs/redco...fornia/?p=2170
http://www.aclunc.org/legislation/wh..._license.shtml

Yes! I want to use my degree by the time I graduate. I don't want to continue to ask people while they view me as an idiot: "What would you like in you sandwich? Want some more soda?"

Seriously, I want to punch every conservative-looking old fart customer in the face when I am serving and then crip walk and yell: "this is why the US needs the DREAM Act."