Yesterday, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 131, the second part of California’s Dream Act. Under this legislation, undocumented students, accepted into any California public college or university, are eligible for Cal-Grant assistance. According to a statement from Brown’s office, only 1% of the 1.4 billion funded Cal-Grant program would be potentially impacted by AB 131.
In July, Brown signed AB 130, which allows undocumented students to qualify for non-state funds. These funds could include private donations, endowments, alumni contributions and others. The California Dream Act provides undocumented students access to state financial aid. It differs from the federal legislation, as it cannot provide a pathway to citizenship.
In case you are wondering if in-state tuition falls into this legislation, California does have a law known as AB 540, which grants undocumented students in-state tuition. The California Dream Act will benefit these students. Taken from the AB 540 website, below are the requirements to qualify for in-state tuition:
· Have attended a California high school for 3 or more full academic years
·Have or will graduate from a California high school or have attained a G.E.D.
· Register or be currently enrolled at an accredited institution of public higher education in California
· File or plan to file an affidavit as required by individual institutions, stating they will apply for legal residency as soon as possible;
· Not hold a vild non-immigrant visa.
Colorado should engage in similar efforts that bring educational justice to our undocumented community. Our state has barred undocumented students from having in-state tuition, something I feel is long overdue.
Nelson, thanks for bringing this issue to our attention. This bill is a great start in helping undocumented students achieve a college degree. It is a shame that right now only California is on board. Although the do have a large number of undocumented students, this problem is not isolated to California. My question is, what happens to these students after they graduate? Will places of employment legally be able to hire them? It's a great start but I see legal employment after graduation as the next problem. Please let me know if I am understanding this correctly!
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw your post I got a little excited and thought...the DREAM Act passed! How did I miss this. Then I realized it is California's DREAM Act that passed. I recently posted a blog referencing in state tuition and we should consider (my opinion) allow in state tuition for illegal immigrants.
ReplyDeleteI believe this could be a foundation to Colorado getting its bill passed in relation to in state tuition for illegal immigrants. However, Holly brings up a good point that I have been thinking about for some time. What about after graduation...where would students work?
I have come up with some ideas such as working internationally, going back to home countries or continuing in education but my thoughts have stopped there. Once out of school without a path to legal citizenship, as it is not in the California legislation, how beneficial is higher education?
Although, there are options it may not be an option to stay in the U.S. which U.S. officials need to consider. We have parts of our U.S. workforce that can contribute which we may need as more and more Americans are retiring. Additionally, we are losing great minds to other areas.
The California Dream Act is a clear example of how effective leadership and political willingness can coexist to provide access and equity to many populations, in this case, to undocumented students in the state of California.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the California Dream Act differs from legislation permitting undocumented students to pay in-state tuition it is worthwhile mentioning that since 2001, there are 12 states that allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition: California & Texas in 2001, New York and Utah in 2002, Washington, Oklahoma, Illinois and Kansas in 2003 & 2004, New Mexico and Nebraska in 2005-2006, Wisconsin in 2009, Maryland and Connecticut in 2011 (Wisconsin revoked the law in 2011).
I concur with Nelson that efforts should continue in Colorado to pass a similar legislation.
In response, to Holly and Karla, once students graduate there are possibilities for them to stay in the US and obtain employment. Yes, it is a complex and complicated process but it is possible.
One example is to be sponsored by an employer that is willing to hire and petition residency status for the employee on the basis of his/her employment
I had a meeting today with one of my undocumented students. Today she told me that she feels this big - holding her hands out with her index finger and thumb about an inch apart. She is one of the most driven students I have had the pleasure to work with since starting my professional career. Governor Perry (TX) recently said, in a Republican debate, that people who don't support the Dream Act, don't have hearts. I've always thought I agreed, but the discussions that I had today, and the research I have been doing lately, have cemented this notion forever.
ReplyDeleteShe told me that she was still "pissed at her mother," for not giving birth to her in the United States. Apparently, she missed that by mere months. Until she was 15, she did not know that she was undocumented. She for all intents and purposes (minus the social security number, and any real security at all, for that matter) grew up American, holds American values and wouldn't know what to do should she ever have to go back to Mexico, let alone to work.
When we were talking I wanted to jump from my chair and march down to the capital!!!!! First downtown Denver, then D.C.
If you are opposed to providing in-state tuition, then close the border! (Well, I'd personally prefer we didn't, but I'm trying to make a point) Do not punish the children of those who broke the law, and have considered themselves Americans until the shock of finding out that they are undocumented. If I had to go to prison for my parents crimes, I'd be freaking pissed. These kids are in a prison all their own. And not enough people seem to care...
I want to give a shout-out to the twelve states who have passed the Dream Act!!! The last sentence doesn't apply to you, I suppose. Get with it Colorado, as we delay passing the Dream Act, more students miss their chance to take advantage of its benefits.
ReplyDeleteAnother student told me Monday that, after waiting for her documentation to go through (for 18 years! Yea 18), due to change in legislation her lawyer says she will have to wait another 18. I don't know enough about immigration law, but really, is this what undocumented students are going through!!
ReplyDeleteI am saddened and upset that Colorado has not been on board with any policy mirroring the Dream Act. Not only did the ballot issue loose a few years back...it lost by a lot of votes. So many votes, that the second time it was brought the state senate, it did not even get enough support to be a ballot issue. I worry that Colorado is going backwards. I believe that the lack of support comes from a place of fear and a lack of understanding. I found the media to have a very slanted view in the past that focused on the perceived dangers and injustices of granting in-state tuition. My own mother, who I like to think, is level-headed and rationale, could not understand why "we" would give away state money to a person that is not here legally. The lack of understanding regarding the positive economic and social impact that will better our community as more and more people are offered the opportunity to be educated is scary!
ReplyDeleteIt is rather sad Michele that Colorado has yet to jump on the ball. So many people have a skewed opinion on these undocumented students because of all of the political issues that come into play. Sometimes people just want to learn, and this is never taken into account by people who are blinded by the visor of $$$. "Legality" aside, is it not the potential of a person that we should assist? The fact that these students have done everything to demonstrate their search for knowledge and we as a state are not taking full advantage of that is appalling, but the fact that there students are doing anything possible to continue to educate themselves is refreshing and does give me hope for Colorado's progression.
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