FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 23, 2013

Speaker Silver Announces Assembly's Renewed Commitment to Passing DREAM Act in Coming Session

Legislation Will Help Make Higher Education a Reality for Immigrant Youth


Calling it one of the Assembly Democratic Conference's top priorities in 2014, Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced a renewed push to pass the DREAM Act to provide educational support for immigrant youth. The measure, sponsored by Assemblyman Francisco Moya, would enable undocumented students to apply for financial aid as well as create a separate fund to provide private scholarships for these students.

"The DREAM Act is about opening the doors to higher education and self-fulfillment for all of our children. The demand for highly skilled workers is increasing, especially in New York City and the metropolitan region, where the vast majority of our undocumented, undergraduate students are enrolled in public institutions of higher education," said Silver. "The DREAM Act can lower unemployment and help us build a stronger workforce."

"Fundamentally the DREAM Act is about fairness and equality for the countless number of DREAMers who have grown up in our communities, attended our schools and are active members of our community," said Moya. "For far too long these immigrant youth have been denied a chance to attend college because they do not have the financial resources to do so. The DREAM Act will help shatter these barriers to a college education and give these students a fair shot at the American Dream in the only country they know."

"Too many talented immigrant youth in our state defer a higher education simply because they do not have access to the same financial aid opportunities as their peers," said Assemblymember Deborah Glick, chair of the Higher Education Committee. "The reality is that in today's job market a college education is a necessity. It is therefore imperative that we provide all New Yorkers with the same opportunity to attend college and achieve their dreams."

This legislation, which also passed the Assembly in 2013 (A.2597), would make New York one of only four states - including Texas, New Mexico and California - to offer state financial aid to immigrant students. Currently, New York is just one of 16 states that makes available in-state tuition to undocumented students. The DREAM Act goes a step further in increasing the availability of financial aid options for immigrant students, including a comprehensive list of state educational assistance programs, such as:

This legislation would also create a DREAM Fund, a private scholarship program that would be committed to advancing the educational goals of the children of immigrants through privately-funded scholarships and increased access to the New York State College Tuition (529) Program through family tuition accounts. These family tuition accounts would be available to anyone who provides a valid taxpayer identification number. These accounts, which are similar to state-run programs in both California and Illinois, have been federally approved since 2002. Family tuition accounts would make it easier for New York's immigrant families to systematically and consistently put aside money and save for their children's futures.

The DREAM Fund would raise private funds in order to provide scholarships to college-bound students of at least one immigrant parent. The DREAM Fund commission would be comprised of 12 members that reflect the racial, ethnic, gender, language and geographic diversity of the state and would also include higher education administrators, faculty members and other advocates committed to advancing the educational opportunities of the children of immigrants.

Hector Figueroa, president of 32BJ SEIU said, "This bill would make real the promise that all of us make to our children - that if you study and work hard, you can do anything. For so many of our members and their families, education is the key to a better life. This bill would ensure that all of New York's children have access to the American Dream."

George Miranda, president Teamsters Joint Council 16 said, "Passing the NYS DREAM Act is the right thing to do for our children, for our places of higher learning and for our economy. The Teamsters applaud Speaker Silver and Assemblyman Moya for their leadership on this issue."

Javier H. Valdes of Make the Road NY said, "The time has come for New York State to pass the DREAM Act. Other states, including New Jersey, have agreed that investing in someone's education regardless of their immigration status helps their state in the long run. We appreciate the leadership of Speaker Silver and our Assemblyman Francisco Moya for championing this fight and look forward to passing the DREAM Act early in 2014."

Steven Choi, executive director of the New York Immigration Coalition said, "Now is the time for New York to pass the New York State DREAM Act, which allows students, regardless of immigration status, to access college financial aid. Passage of this legislation is critical for New York - by opening the door for thousands of students to pursue a college education, the state will pave the way for success for our immigrant families, build a higher-skilled, college-educated workforce, and ensure a positive economic impact on our state. The New York Immigration Coalition will work with Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblyman Francisco Moya and all of our allies to fight for this bill, and we will work tirelessly until all of New York students' dreams of a college education come true."

Vincent Alvarez, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO said, "Passing the NYS DREAM Act would dramatically change the lives of so many children who have worked hard and done exceptionally well in school, only to be refused access to higher education because their immigration status makes them ineligible for state financial aid. Through this bill, all of New York's hardworking students would qualify for access to the educational tools necessary to compete in a global workforce."

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