University of California System - For the DREAM ACT

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR PASSAGE OF THE DREAM ACT

On September 19, the University of California sent letters to California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer urging their continued support and leadership for passage of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. The DREAM Act may be attached to H.R. 1585, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which is currently pending before the US Senate.


-----
September 19, 2007
The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senators Feinstein and Boxer:

Thank you for your continued support for the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which will help thousands of children, who—through no fault of their own—find that their education and employment options are severely limited once they graduate from high school. At the University of California alone, if the DREAM Act were enacted, we estimate that up to 630 high-achieving students would benefit by becoming eligible for federal loans and work-study to help pay for their education.

The University of California strongly supports efforts to provide more affordable educational access to these students, who excel in elementary and secondary school and who live and work in our communities. We urge your continued leadership in helping to bring the DREAM Act to the Senate floor for a vote as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill.

We applaud your work in trying to secure a path to legal status for these students who have been in our country for a long time. We remain hopeful that your Senate colleagues will support the DREAM Act to expand educational opportunity to hardworking students from across the nation, encourage the academic and creative contributions these students offer, and contribute to our state and nation through increased economic benefits.

Sincerely,
A. Scott Sudduth Assistant Vice President University of California Federal Governmental Relations

previously posted on Immigration Prof Blog