New York DREAM Act week of Action: Day 2
Wear our T-shirts showing support and stand in solidarity with the New York Dream Act (NYDA).
Undocumented Youth and supporters in New York State are not just showing their love but the urgent need of this bill to be passed.
New York DREAM Act Week Of Action: Day 1
Today Undocumented Youth and Our Supporters all across New York State showed their support for the New York DREAM Act!!
New York DREAM Act Week of Action
Help us in our whole week of action to raise awareness about the New York DREAM Act(NYDA), a bill that has been introduced in the legislature and would grant access to state financial aid for undocumented students.
Get Informed:Myths and Facts about the New York Dream Act (NYDA)
Myth 1: The Bill would provide an incentive for people to come here illegally.
Fact: The New York Dream Act offers absolutely no reason for people to enter the
country illegally. It does not legalize students nor does it provide benefits for
immigrants who are not already here. In fact, the New York Dream Act requires
students to come to the U.S. at or before the age of 18, graduate from a
New York high school or obtain a GED in New York, and have resided in
New York state for at least two years prior to enactment of the legislation.
Myth 2: It will be a fiscal burden and increase the strain on state educational systems.
Fact: The New York Dream Act would make money for taxpayers. State and local
taxpayers are already investing in the education of undocumented students in elementary and
secondary school. It would be economically illogical to bar students from attending college and
developing their careers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, those who obtain a Bachelor’s
degree earn $1 million more over his or her lifetime than those with a high school degree,
contributing tens of thousands of dollars to New York State’s economy. The Institute for
Taxation and Economic Policy estimates that undocumented immigrants paid $662.4 million in
taxes to New York state in 2010, making it the state with the fourth highest revenue in taxes
from undocumented immigrants.
Myth 3: Documented New Yorkers will lose spots in college due to passage of the New
York Dream Act.
Fact: The small number of students who will be impacted by the New York Dream Act is
not significant enough to affect the opportunities of others. Moreover, allowing undocumented
students to access financial aid will generate revenue for colleges and universities. While the
cost of attending CUNY is $5,130 per year, the average TAP award is $2,764, the difference
usually paid to the universities.
Myth 4: The New York Dream Act is a form of amnesty and would reward people who
come here illegally.
Fact: The New York Dream Act will not legalize students. The bill is focused on
expanding undocumented students’ access to New York’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
The requirements to qualify for the New York Dream Act are extensive and it will not serve as an
amnesty of any sort. These students are here to stay and we should provide them with the tools
to become outstanding members of New York.
SUNY supports New York Dream Act
New York City – The State University of New York Board of Trustees today passed a resolution in support of equitable financial and educational access to higher education for all New Yorkers, including its undocumented immigrants, as intended by the DREAM Act, legislation recently defeated at the federal level but supported by President Barack Obama in his State of the Union Address.
The current demographic realities of New York State indicate that many of the brightest and hardest working students eligible to enroll at SUNY are of undocumented status, and it is imperative that SUNY remain accessible to these students,” said Board Chairman H. Carl McCall. “SUNY will work with stakeholders to develop sensible legislation that provides this deserved access and financial support.”
“All New Yorkers, regardless of legal status, should be eligible to receive State financial aid benefits and in-state tuition rates as they pursue a college education,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “The concept of the DREAM Act is a noble one, and we will work with elected officials and our colleagues in higher education to ensure that that it is upheld in New York State.”
With today’s resolution, SUNY joins the State Education Department, CUNY, New York University, the New York City Council, members in the Federal and State legislatures, and advocacy organizations in publicly supporting the passage of laws to grant equitable financial and educational access to higher education for New York’s undocumented immigrant students.
Under current laws, New York State prohibits undocumented immigrant students from receiving State financial aid in the form of general awards, academic performance awards, student loans, and/or tuition assistance through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).
The law does, however, allow undocumented immigrants to enroll in institutions of public higher education in New York and, if they meet other residency standards including graduation from a New York high school or GED program, to pay the in-state tuition rate
The New York State Department of Education has put forward a legislative proposal known as the Education Equity for DREAMers Act. Additionally, there are several pieces of legislation that have been introduced in the Legislature that would accomplish the goal of providing equitable financial assistance for undocumented students. The bills would eliminate current provisions requiring students to be a U.S. citizen or permanent lawful resident to receive State financial aid and instead extend TAP; authorize SUNY, CUNY, and community college trustees to provide State-aided programs, scholarships, or other financial assistance to those who have graduated from New York State high schools; allow students, regardless of their legal status, to receive funds in the higher education opportunity programs and the collegiate and technology entry program; and allow undocumented students to have a taxpayer identification number to open a New York 529 family tuition account.
Today’s resolution is not in support for any particular legislation. However, it affirms the public support of the SUNY Board for efforts to provide undocumented immigrants the opportunity for equitable access to higher education by making financial assistance available when appropriate.
New York Undocumented Thanks Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Gillibrand for Endorsing the New York DREAM Act
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 13, 2012
Contact: Daniela 646-472-956512
New York, NY. The NYSYLC commends Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Gillibrand for their leadership and support for the New York DREAM Act. Yesterday, during his State of the City Address, New York City’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, stated that he will help lead the campaign for the passage of the New York DREAM Act. Mayor Bloomberg declared “we’ll also help lead the charge for the New York State Dream Act, so children who were brought here illegally can apply for State-sponsored college loans, grants, and scholarships. [I]t’s in New York City’s best interest to make sure they are able to become productive members of society”. In addition, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed her support for the passage of the New York DREAM Act on an editorial in the NY Daily News. “Where others have chosen intolerance, the Empire State can honor its legacy of being a beacon of hope and opportunity for generations of immigrants by passing the New York State DREAM Act introduced by Assemblyman Guillermo Linares and state Sen. Bill Perkins”, expressed Senator Gillibrand.
As the undocumented-youth led organization that introduced and has spearheaded the campaign for the New York DREAM Act since March 2011, we are pleased and grateful for the support of Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Gillibrand. The New York DREAM Act will open up the doors to a college education to hard-working and deserving New York undocumented students who seek to contribute back to their families, community and state. The education of undocumented youth can’t be deferred any longer, and New York must set the national standard for humane and fair education policies.
We look forward to working with the offices of Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Gillibrand to ensure that the New York DREAM Act becomes a reality in 2012. We take this opportunity to extend an open invitation to Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Gillibrand to join us in our Action Day for the NY Dream Act on March 6th in Albany. Let’s pass the New York DREAM Act in 2012!
For media inquiries, contact Daniela 646-472-9565
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The NYSYLC is a youth led organization that seeks to improve access to higher education and creating equal opportunity for immigrant youth and children of immigrants, regardless of immigration status through leadership development, organizing and advocacy. The National Immigrant Youth Alliance (NIYA) is an undocumented youth-led network of grassroots organizations, campus-based student groups and individuals committed to achieving equality for all immigrant youth, regardless of their legal status.
Twitter @nysylc Facebook www.facebook.com/nysylc www.nysylc.org
Mayor Bloomberg Supports New York Dream Act in State of City Speech
In his State of City Speech, Mayor Bloomberg takes an aggressive stand in educating undocumented youth in NYC. Here’s an excerpt from his speech:
“We’ll also help lead the charge for the New York State Dream Act, so children who were brought here illegally can apply for State-sponsored college loans, grants, and scholarships. We can’t blame them for being brought here as infants or teens. And since they are here to stay, it’s in New York City’s best interest to make sure they are able to become productive members of society.
I took out loans to get through college, so I know how important that money is. And I believe that all of our students should be eligible for the financial aid they need to succeed. The five steps I just outlined aren’t about politics. They’re about children.
When we sit down with the UFT, there are two groups in the room: the UFT and our school children – they are who we work for and we will. We have an obligation to stand up for their lives, their futures, their hopes and dreams. Their voice is the voice we listen to and I thought all of us should hear it today.
Those are the leaders of tomorrow: the doctors, the lawyers, the mayors. They will lead the economy of tomorrow, if we give them the tools to do it and if we begin building that economy right here and now.”
Read Full Speech Watch Full Video
