Hundreds of undocumented students and allies will travel to Albany on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 to urge legislators to enact the NY DREAM Act (A02597/S2378) in 2013.
The New York DREAM Act would provide access to state-funded tuition assistance program (TAP), NY State’s financial aid program, to undocumented youth who have grown up in the United States and seek to obtain a college degree. Of the 4,550 undocumented students who graduate from New York high schools every year, only 5-10% pursues a college degree due to tremendous financial obstacles. A recent study published by the Fiscal Policy Institute has found that the cost of providing state-funded financial aid will cost the average taxpayer 87 cents per year – that is, less than the cost of a doughnut!
Passing the New York DREAM Act would open the doors of higher education to undocumented youth, motivate them to stay in school, and use their skills and education to contribute to the economy and prosperity of our state. Frisly Soberanis, a NYSYLC member and Tribeca Film Festival winner, states “the New York DREAM Act is not an immigration issue; it is an education issue. This bill would help teenagers like my brothers and me by creating and opening amazing opportunities for our future. It’s an investment for our future and our youth.” Out of the four states with largest immigrant populations, New York is the only one that does not provide financial aid to undocumented youth. The time for New York to stand up for educational equity is now – TAP into the future!
What: Albany Day of Action!
Who: Undocumented students, teachers, legislators and allies
Where: Emmanuel Baptist Church, 275 State Street, Albany, NY 12210
When: Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 at 11:00 am
Why: The New York DREAM Act will allow undocumented youth, who are Americans in all except paper, contribute to New York. Education today, success tomorrow!
