NY DREAM Act Rally on Wednesday
URGENT! TAKE ACTION FOR THE NEW YORK DREAM ACT!
Join us as we rally and demand that Cuomo add the NY DREAM Act to the state budget before its April 1st deadline!
This past weekend the NYS Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican & Hispanic Task Force awarded Gov. Cuomo the “Visionary Leadership Award” at their annual gala in Albany. Yet immigrant communities across NY have yet to see this leadership materialize as Cuomo has repeatedly failed to state his support for the NY DREAM Act.
What: Rally Outside of Governor Cuomo’s NYC office
Where:633 3rd Ave (between E 40th & 41st)
When: Wednesday, March 28th from 3:30pm-6pm
Undocumented Youth Hold Vigil to Urge Governor to Include NYDA in State Budget
Press Release
Governor Cuomo, Our Education Can’t Wait Anymore!
Undocumented Youth Hold Vigil to Urge Governor to Include NYDA in State Budget
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Contact: Melissa 347-488-2310, Daniela 646-472-9565
New York, N.Y. Undocumented youth and supporters will hold a vigil from Thursday, March 22 to Friday, March 23 in an urgent call to Governor Cuomo to include the NY Dream Act (A 6829/S 4179) in his executive budget by April 1st. Undocumented youth have delayed their dreams of obtaining a college education because of the lack of financial aid. The New York Dream Act, which will provide access to tuition assistance program (TAP) and scholarships to qualified undocumented youth, will open the doors of colleges to hard-working and deserving students whose goal is to contribute to the greatness of our state. A recent study by the Fiscal Policy Institute indicates that “extending the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to include eligible undocumented students would increase TAP expenditures by roughly two percent.” That is a 2% investment that will provide incredibly greater returns to New York in higher tax revenue that undocumented youth will bring in, a more educated and productive workforce, and youth who will feel encouraged to stay in school and pursue their dreams of a higher education. The future of undocumented youth can’t depend on political games any longer. The New York Dream Act is about giving equal access to education to all youth, and any lesser measure on its own is insufficient.
The New York DREAM Act needs to pass this year. It is not enough to stay silent; Governor Cuomo, it is time to take action! Undocumented youth, such as Sara Martinez, a NYSYLC member, have grown up in our country with American values believing and trusting that if she works hard, she will succeed. Undocumented youth work hard every single day; we need the NY Dream Act to allow them to get educated and achieve their full potential. We demand Governor Cuomo stand up and level the playing field for undocumented youth by including the New York Dream Act in the state budget!
What: Vigil for the NY DREAM Act
Where: Outside Governor Cuomo’s office – 633 3rd Ave (between E 40th & 41st), New York, NY
When: Press conference: Thursday, March 22 at 4.30pm. Vigil will be held from Thursday, March 22 at 4pm to Friday, March 23 at 10am.
Why: Our education can’t wait anymore; We need the NY Dream Act in Governor Cuomo’s budget.
For media inquiries, please contact Melissa 347-488-2310, Daniela 646-472-9565
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The NYSYLC is the first undocumented youth led, membership led, organization that empowers immigrant youth to drop the fear and challenge the broken immigration system through leadership development, grassroots organizing, educational advancement, and a safe space for self-expression. 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
CUNY University Student Senate (USS) Calls for New York DREAM Act
CUNY USS New York State DREAM Act Resolution
Whereas, “An estimated 146,000 youth in New York who have been educated in New York public schools are currently ineligible to receive financial aid under federal and state law. Of the more than 4,500 undocumented students that graduate from New York high schools every year, only 5-10% pursue a college degree due to tremendous financial obstacles;”
Whereas, twelve states (including New York) currently allow undocumented youth to qualify for in-state tuition rates, while only three – California, New Mexico and Texas – allow said youth to qualify for government tuition assistance programs like TAP;
Whereas, with the passage of the New York State DREAM Act legislation (S.4179/A.6829), New York, which has approximately 460,000 undocumented immigrants, would become the fourth state in the U.S that would allow undocumented students to qualify for state financial aid for higher education;
Whereas, the CUNY University Student Senate (USS) recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all people, regardless of immigration status, and requests that undocumented students be eligible for financial aid to fund their higher education goals;
Whereas, USS recommends that all institutions of higher education in New York should address the educational barriers that undocumented immigrant students face and take steps to extend scholarships, grants, and fellowship programs to all students;
Therefore, be it resolved that the CUNY University Student Senate (USS) call on the CUNY Board of Trustees to support the New York State DREAM Act legislation that would assist the estimated 4500 undocumented immigrant students that attend CUNY;
Be it further resolved that USS call on Student Government Associations around CUNY, the New York City Council, the New York State Assembly, the New York State Senate and all other appropriate legislative bodies to support the passage of the New York State DREAM Act legislation in the state Assembly and Senate.
N.Y. should take a stand and pass the New York DREAM ACT
New York Times opinion editorial on the N.Y.DREAM Act
”The Dream Act is an aptly named-but-star-crossed piece of federal legislation that would open a path to legal status for young unauthorized immigrants who pursue college degrees or serve in the military. Its goal is to help ambitious youths who were brought here as children and are American in all but the paperwork.
But, since the bill has been stalled in Congress, some states have found a way to help these blameless young people. Though they cannot fix anyone’s visa problems, some states have passed their own versions of the Dream Act to make college more affordable to undocumented students. Thirteen, including New York, allow the undocumented to qualify for in-state tuition rates. Only three — Texas, New Mexico and California — allow them to receive government tuition aid.
New York should become the fourth. It has long been a global beacon for immigrants and a leader in higher education. One bill in the Legislature would make undocumented students eligible for the state’s Tuition Assistance Program; another would provide aid through a fund with private donations.
Yet Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who should be leading this effort, has been on the sidelines, studying the legislation. It’s hard to see why Mr. Cuomo should be hesitant to support these measures. It shouldn’t be the expense; a new study by the Fiscal Policy Institute found that the Dream Act would add roughly $17 million, or only 2 percent, to the cost of the Tuition Assistance Program. Students with college degrees make a state more attractive to businesses, earn more and pay more in taxes. Giving a boost to the dreams of undocumented young people is not only the decent thing to do, it’s also a wise investment.”
Day of Action in Albany!!!
On Tuesday, March 6th hundreds of Undocumented youth both high school and college students, along with teachers and guidance counselors travelled to Albany to educate, inform and show legislatures a face behind the many voices. This day allowed undocumented students to express the hardships and trials they face being unrecognized for so many years. We walked the halls of buildings containing assembly members and senators with pride, professionalism and as a unified front. Demonstrating with our words, stories, facts and even a few tears why the New York DREAM Act needs to pass now.
More pics to come!!!
N.Y. DREAM Act Day of Action in Albany!
Every year thousands of undocumented youth graduate from New York high schools and face an uncertain future because of their immigration status. For years the federal government has failed our communities by refusing to pass the DREAM Act. This has left undocumented youth in NY without any form of relief. As a state with one of the largest immigrant populations, NY should be at the forefront of progressive immigration policies, pushing back on the tide of national and local anti-immigrant policies.
So please join us on Tuesday, March 6th for the New York DREAM Act Albany day and demand that our state government act! It is now up to the State of NY to provide dignity and recognition for all its promising and deserving young people.
If you would like to attend please register using the link below:
If you are interested in coming to the Albany Day of action and live outside of NYC please go ahead and REGISTER, we will be contacting you to make arrangements.
PLEASE SPONSOR A RIDER BY MAKING A DONATION HERE
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.
