NYCLU Supports Youth Lobbying Effort on DREAM Act

“Every child deserves to be judged on what she does and how she behaves – not on the accident of where she was born,” said Donna Lieberman, NYCLU executive director. “The DREAM Act should help end the education nightmare that has been a fact of life for a whole generation of hardworking and talented young people who have just as much potential as their peers. It is a step towards an immigration policy that respects families and allows all New Yorkers to contribute and become part of our society.”

The DREAM Act is bipartisan legislation that would change the lives of thousands of youth who graduate from our high school, but whose future is uncertain. Under current law, these young people generally derive their immigration status solely from their parents, and if their parents are undocumented or in immigration limbo, most have no mechanism to obtain legal residency, even if they have lived most of their lives here in the U.S. The DREAM Act would provide such a mechanism for those who are able to meet certain conditions.

The DREAM Act would:

• Permit certain immigrant students who have grown up in the U.S. to apply for temporary legal status and to eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for U.S. citizenship if they go to college or serve in the U.S. military; and
• Eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status.

The latest version of the DREAM Act, also known as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (S. 729), was introduced in March. Both of New York’s senators co-sponsor the legislation.

This morning, more than 200 youth left New York City to participate in a national day of advocacy in support of the DREAM Act. The New York State Youth Leadership Council, Make the Road New York and dozens of other organizations are involved in the effort.