For Immediate Release - Nypirg

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May 7, 2012 - 9 Murray Street, 3rd Floor • New York, New York 10007-2272 ... Regional Offices In: Capital District &am
For Immediate Release:

For More Information:

May 7, 2012

Kevin Stump [email protected] or 845.224.8374

NYPIRG STATEMENT ON ASSEMBLY PASSAGE OF THE DREAM FUND COMMISSION ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL TO CREATE IMMIGRANT COLLEGE FUND WITH PRIVATE MONIES NYPIRG URGES LEGISLATURE TO “FINISH THE JOB” BY PASSING AND FULLY FUNDING THE NY DREAM ACT TO GUARANTEE IMMIGRANT STUDENTS GET THE HELP THEY NEED

NYPIRG is thrilled that the Assembly has taken the first step towards education equity and equal access for all New Yorkers including undocumented students. By passing the DREAM Fund Commission bill, the Assembly showed great leadership on this issue. We feel strongly that this is a first step in the right direction. However, we fear that the well-intentioned DREAM Fund, which would set up a commission to raise private scholarship monies for undocumented students, will not fully realize its laudable goals. In contrast, the similarly named NY DREAM Act provides clear and equal access to a college education for all students by allowing undocumented immigrants access to the state’s tuition assistance programs. While the Assembly’s passage of the DREAM Fund Commission is an important start to the conversation, we strongly urge the Assembly and Senate to also pass the NY DREAM Act to ensure that tuition assistance is available for undocumented college students seeking a path to earning a degree in New York.

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