Second part of DREAM Act passes Senate vote

The second half of the California DREAM Act — which would allow undocumented students access to state financial aid — passed the Senate today by a vote of 22 to 11.

AB 131, authored by Assemblymember Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, will go back to the Assembly for a concurrence vote, the last hurdle before the bill could land on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk.

The passage of the bill — which would give undocumented students access to state financial aid programs such as Cal Grants — comes a little over a month after the first part of the state’s DREAM act was signed into law by Brown. That bill authorized public higher education institutions to give financial aid to undocumented students from their own aid reserves.

The vote went along party lines.

Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, supported the bill on the Senate floor, saying that having more educated, tax-paying professionals would only help the state’s economy.
“(Undocumented students) should not have their future jeopardized by their illegal status,” he said.

Doug LaMalfa, R-Butte, opposed the bill on the Senate floor, saying that the state should focus on taking care of its citizens during the current financial crisis isntead of giving aid undocumented students.

Jordan Bach-Lombardo is the university news editor.

http://www.dailycal.org/2011/08/31/s...s-senate-vote/

Congrats california dreamers!

Its Funny how he would say that because after we graduate from college, we're still undocumented... So technically we wouldn't be much of a help. No jobs, no tax. Atleast they couldve added work permits.

I wish the state could somehow give us work permits after this. This bill is a costly way to put pressure on the state or federal government to do something in terms of allowing us to work.

I wish we would get work permits INSTEAD of financial aid.

We do NOT need money!

It makes the opposition stronger, but it also puts pressure on the government to pass the DREAM Act, so I guess that can be a good thing.

So you are saying this is a bad thing? Dream Act is a national effort, states have no power over immigration laws, if that were the case, then our movement is turning into the opposite of Arizona. I, for one, don't want that.

dont get me wrong this is a very good thing. but im just saying that they couldve made it better where its a win win situation. give us work permits then we'll give back by paying taxes. let say, if all of us, was given the privilege to drive.. majority of us dreamers will end up purchasing a car.

now can you imagine the revenues that the state will get from that. i know its not that much but in the economy that we have now.. every penny counts.

how about if some of us buys a house?

i dont know, im not in economics field nor finance.. but i think it really comes down to common sense... giving us work permits and being able to pay taxes is good for this state or any other. i mean FOR THIS COUNTRY if you ask me.

Thats what the Dream Act is all about, hope for its passage.

Very true. Perhaps, this bill is part of a grand strategy by the Democrats in California. Perhapssssssssssssssss, a bill granting us work authorization is next. We should demand it in California. If Brown signs AB 131, we need work permits, so we can give back.

from ocdt:

Now that AB131 passed the Senate, it will head to the Assembly floor for concurrence. Then to the Gov's desk. We need to fill the Gov's phone-lines. (916) 445-2841 & (213) 897-0322.

Be polite: "My name is _________ and I'm calling to ask Governor Jerry Brown to support and sign Assembly Bill 131, the California Dream Act. Thank you very much"

To be honest, I'm confused why we'd ask for work permits from a state. As Smooth, said only the Federal Government can give those since only it is in charge of immigration law. State DREAM Acts are steps in the right direction, but they lack the competency and jurisdiction to attain two crucial goals: work permits and conditional permanent residency.