Obama and the California DREAM ACT

Besides Bill Richardson, Obama is the only presidential candidate that has shown clear support of undocumented college students.

Interesting that he used the term "play by the rules" when describing DREAM ACT students - so many anti-immigrationists use that expression for immigrations that came to the U.S. with documents.
-----
The Democratic presidential candidate discusses inner-city education, immigration and diversity at Garfield High School.
By Cathleen Decker, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
October 21, 2007

Barack Obama dived into California's most contentious policy debates Saturday at an East Los Angeles appearance where he defended immigration reform and affirmative action and criticized Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of a measure to extend college scholarships to students in the country illegally.

"That was wrong," the Illinois senator and Democratic presidential candidate told several hundred gathered at Garfield High School. "Instead of driving thousands of children who were on the right path into the shadows, we need to give those who play by the rules the opportunity to succeed."

Later, during a question-and-answer session, he returned to the topic, declaring that if a student had been brought to this country illegally but had been going to school "like every other American child, it is cruel and stupid for us to suddenly say to them: 'We're not going to give you college scholarships. We're not going to let you finance your college education.' "

Schwarzenegger vetoed SB 1, the California Dream Act, on Oct. 13, saying that the Cal Grant financial aid program and community college fee waivers should be for legal residents, not illegal immigrant students...




for complete article: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama21oct21,0,6304427.story?coll=la-home-center

photo: http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/obama%20pic.jpg