The “dreamâ€Â part of Senate Bill 1, the California DREAM Act, was snuffed out, at least for now, by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s veto pen.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, and passed by the legislature earlier this year, the bill would have allowed undocumented immigrant students to apply for community college fee waivers and other financial aid currently reserved for U.S. citizens. Undocumented students would have been eligible for Cal Grants that can be used at California colleges and universities.
The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act has been pushed for several years now, on both the state and national level, but so far without success. Senate Bill 1 is similar to a bill vetoed by Schwarzenegger last year. The big change from last year̢۪s bill was a specific exclusion of undocumented immigrant students from the Competitive Cal Grant Program.
After issuing the veto, Schwarzenegger said he didn’t want an “additional strainâ€Â on the state budget he claimed would have resulted from the law change. He also pointed out that the affected students are already eligible for in-state tuition rates.
While not unexpected, Fresno State̢۪s California Student Association representative Esmeralda Santos said she was hopeful the governor would change his mind after the Competitive Cal Grant exclusion was added.
“We respectfully disagree with the governor’s decision,â€Â Santos said. “[Schwarzenegger] thought it would negatively affect U.S. students.â€Â
Santos said that financial aid funds available for students were currently not utilized enough and therefore available for more students.
“These [undocumented] students are already accounted for in the Cal Grant fund,â€Â Santos said. “It doesn’t distinguish between undocumented students and others.â€Â
Cal Grants are funded by the state of California and are awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit. The program is composed of both entitlement and competitive awards.
Entitlement awards are guaranteed awards for qualified recent high school graduates or high school seniors. Competitive awards are offered on a competitive basis to eligible returning community college students who missed out on the entitlement, but are not guaranteed.
Some restrictions would have applied for undocumented students, including meeting academic requirements and a verifiable financial need.
On Oct. 1, the California State Student Association, with support from Associated Students, Inc., organized a rally in the Free Speech Area in support of the California Dream Act. The rally was attended by more than 120 students, according to Santos, and was held late in the afternoon partially because “a lot of students affected couldn’t be there till then because they work during the day.â€Â
The Fresno State rally mirrored other rallies held all over the state that day in support of the bill in an intensive lobbying effort targeted at the governor. The rallies were primarily sponsored by the University of California Student Association and the California State Student Association.
Santos said the bill was important for California̢۪s future because of its perceived educational benefit for the state̢۪s workforce.
“I agree with this bill,â€Â Fresno State Migrant Services Coordinator Raul Moreno said in an interview with The Undercurrent, a Fresno newspaper. “These future citizens should be encouraged to become teachers, doctors and engineers, and productive members of our workforce. It is an investment in California.â€Â
The goal of the bill̢۪s supporters is to improve access and affordability of California colleges and universities to all students who want to learn in the state.
On the national level, a different version of the DREAM Act was included as a provision of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006, which was passed by the U.S. Senate but didn̢۪t get any further. The national DREAM Act would have repealed a 1996 federal law that prevents states from offering in-state tuition rates to illegal aliens unless those states also offer in-state tuition rates to all U.S. citizens.
Opponents of the reform act also targeted the DREAM provision.
To allow undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition rates would amount to an unfair amnesty, said Kris Kobach, professor of law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, in an article opposing the DREAM Act on behalf of the conservative Heritage Foundation.
To comply with the current federal law, California̢۪s DREAM Act would have opened up in-state tuition rates to all U.S. citizens.
Despite the setback, Santos said she and CSSA have not given up on the effort, and plan to lobby for the DREAM Act̢۪s reintroduction in future legislative sessions.
dannygirl • Nov 29, 2007 at 9:32 pm
“God, are you in college dannygirl? My god, please don’t tell me you attend Fresno St. with that kind of country grammar. But, yes……the DREAM Act seems like a total slam on California taxpayers and would totally diminish educational quality.”
Are you nuts? Did you not read? Is Ralph gay? What a sissified response. “My god, please”? How was Ralph on my side? If only it were funny…………………………………………….Sissified. LOL. Now that’s funny!
Danny
Danny
dannygirl • Nov 30, 2007 at 4:32 am
“God, are you in college dannygirl? My god, please don’t tell me you attend Fresno St. with that kind of country grammar. But, yes……the DREAM Act seems like a total slam on California taxpayers and would totally diminish educational quality.”
Are you nuts? Did you not read? Is Ralph gay? What a sissified response. “My god, please”? How was Ralph on my side? If only it were funny…………………………………………….Sissified. LOL. Now that’s funny!
Danny
Danny
Joana Campos • Nov 28, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Danny,
Ralph was on your side (lol).
Joana Campos • Nov 28, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Danny,
Ralph was on your side (lol).
dannygirl • Oct 24, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Last thing Esmeralda:
“You also stated that undocumented immigrants take, take, take and do not give anything back to the U.S. Yet to my knowledge undocumented immigrants can’t vote”, 1)Precisely. They are not citzens. They are not supposed to vote.
“they can’t access many social benefits and they live in constant fear of deportation.” 2) That’s right. The programs were meant for Citzen and legal residents. I’m having hard time feeling sorry for foriegn invaders who came here illegally. And are now boasting. Not to metion, how they have bragged how they are going to take over the south west American states and call it Atzlan. Vente Fox, Calderon, and La Raza can’t wait.
“Many work in undervalued and underpaid jobs. Jobs that you and I do not want to do.” 3} that’s the biggest lie. Speak for yourself. I have done the jobs you claim american won’t do. Many Americans do. They are called the working poor. it’s the biggest lie. How long are you going to try to use that lie? America is a diverse country we do not use people in a surf class. Maybe in Mexico. or South America. But in the United States we treat eachother with respect. But the Globalist don’t. The Mexican Presidents don’t. Calderon even has his eye on construction jobs for illegal aliens. He bragged about it on national television. Fox even wants the trucking industry. Many illegal aliens are in the construction trade.
Esmeralda, I’m finding it hard to believe that you are not a illegal alien or someone in your family is not a illegal alien. You hold on to every lie and use any lame excuse. Shame shame. Shame on you. Only to steal. You do not have a true American Spirit. Nor do you have any loyality to the US. American owes one one a free ride and nothing to the illegal alien. What ever country they may come from.
Danny
dannygirl • Oct 25, 2007 at 12:54 am
Last thing Esmeralda:
“You also stated that undocumented immigrants take, take, take and do not give anything back to the U.S. Yet to my knowledge undocumented immigrants can’t vote”, 1)Precisely. They are not citzens. They are not supposed to vote.
“they can’t access many social benefits and they live in constant fear of deportation.” 2) That’s right. The programs were meant for Citzen and legal residents. I’m having hard time feeling sorry for foriegn invaders who came here illegally. And are now boasting. Not to metion, how they have bragged how they are going to take over the south west American states and call it Atzlan. Vente Fox, Calderon, and La Raza can’t wait.
“Many work in undervalued and underpaid jobs. Jobs that you and I do not want to do.” 3} that’s the biggest lie. Speak for yourself. I have done the jobs you claim american won’t do. Many Americans do. They are called the working poor. it’s the biggest lie. How long are you going to try to use that lie? America is a diverse country we do not use people in a surf class. Maybe in Mexico. or South America. But in the United States we treat eachother with respect. But the Globalist don’t. The Mexican Presidents don’t. Calderon even has his eye on construction jobs for illegal aliens. He bragged about it on national television. Fox even wants the trucking industry. Many illegal aliens are in the construction trade.
Esmeralda, I’m finding it hard to believe that you are not a illegal alien or someone in your family is not a illegal alien. You hold on to every lie and use any lame excuse. Shame shame. Shame on you. Only to steal. You do not have a true American Spirit. Nor do you have any loyality to the US. American owes one one a free ride and nothing to the illegal alien. What ever country they may come from.
Danny
dannygirl • Oct 24, 2007 at 5:10 pm
With the dream Act, The illegal Alien does not really have to join the military at all. He or She can can just go to college. That’s the joke. Had the Dream Act passed today millions of illegal Aliens would have been able to get retro amesty to stay in United States even if he/she has a police record. If he/she applies for this amesty he/she can not be deported. America does not need a military of illegal aliens.
It is a ruse just to pass amesty. No ones really going to join the military. That would mean a true sacrifice. That would actually been giving something in debt to the U S. But just about anyone would take a free ride at going to college and recieving in state tutition. Plus getting grants to pay for it. What are you giving to America?
You can get angry all you want. It’s a outrageous bill. It totally rewards illegal behavior. Encouraging it. They have to go back to their own country and come through the front door. It’s Amesty plus a free ride gift. It has everything to do with a Anti American Pro Globalist /Communist/Capitalist North American Union agenda. With illegal aliens taking avantage of the globalist greedy agenda to destroy the sovereignty of the United States of American.
It’s never going the pass. it’s a evil bill. No free ride. There is nothing we need talk about anymore.
dannygirl • Oct 25, 2007 at 12:10 am
With the dream Act, The illegal Alien does not really have to join the military at all. He or She can can just go to college. That’s the joke. Had the Dream Act passed today millions of illegal Aliens would have been able to get retro amesty to stay in United States even if he/she has a police record. If he/she applies for this amesty he/she can not be deported. America does not need a military of illegal aliens.
It is a ruse just to pass amesty. No ones really going to join the military. That would mean a true sacrifice. That would actually been giving something in debt to the U S. But just about anyone would take a free ride at going to college and recieving in state tutition. Plus getting grants to pay for it. What are you giving to America?
You can get angry all you want. It’s a outrageous bill. It totally rewards illegal behavior. Encouraging it. They have to go back to their own country and come through the front door. It’s Amesty plus a free ride gift. It has everything to do with a Anti American Pro Globalist /Communist/Capitalist North American Union agenda. With illegal aliens taking avantage of the globalist greedy agenda to destroy the sovereignty of the United States of American.
It’s never going the pass. it’s a evil bill. No free ride. There is nothing we need talk about anymore.
Esmeralda Santos • Oct 23, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Dear Dannygirl,
First of all the DREAM Act does not provide an undocumented person with green cards for their entire family. Have you actually read the bill?
The bill would provide the eligible student with a 6 year conditional resident status during which they must maintain good moral character. After this period they must satisfy other requirements in order to apply for permanent legal status.
Secondly, you stated that “real legal immigrantsâ€Â have been willing to serve in the military and sacrifice their life for the United States. Yet it seems not enough real legal immigrants/U.S. Citizens are enrolling in the army today. Why else is the army spending $1.5 billion dollars in their recruitment campaign?
FYI these campaigns tend to strategically target minority and low income students. Isn̢۪t that interesting?
Also I am sorry to disappoint you but undocumented immigrants have already joined the army and fought previous wars. During the Vietnam War thousands of undocumented immigrants joined the army under false promises of citizenship. Today many of these veteran soldiers continue to fight for their earned citizenship right.
You also stated that undocumented immigrants take, take, take and do not give anything back to the U.S. Yet to my knowledge undocumented immigrants can’t vote, they can’t access many social benefits and they live in constant fear of deportation. Many work in undervalued and underpaid jobs. Jobs that you and I do not want to do. Actually, undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in payroll taxes for Social Security and Medical services that they cannot claim. The taxes end up in the “earning suspense fileâ€Â and guess what? Yes, those unclaimed tax dollars are used to benefit U.S. born citizens like you and I…
“Illegal Alien Supremacyâ€Â?
Please what a joke!
Since when do you wake up thinking,
“Boy, I wish I were an illegal alien, life would be so much easier for me?â€Â
Esmeralda Santos • Oct 24, 2007 at 3:44 am
Dear Dannygirl,
First of all the DREAM Act does not provide an undocumented person with green cards for their entire family. Have you actually read the bill?
The bill would provide the eligible student with a 6 year conditional resident status during which they must maintain good moral character. After this period they must satisfy other requirements in order to apply for permanent legal status.
Secondly, you stated that “real legal immigrants” have been willing to serve in the military and sacrifice their life for the United States. Yet it seems not enough real legal immigrants/U.S. Citizens are enrolling in the army today. Why else is the army spending $1.5 billion dollars in their recruitment campaign?
FYI these campaigns tend to strategically target minority and low income students. Isn’t that interesting?
Also I am sorry to disappoint you but undocumented immigrants have already joined the army and fought previous wars. During the Vietnam War thousands of undocumented immigrants joined the army under false promises of citizenship. Today many of these veteran soldiers continue to fight for their earned citizenship right.
You also stated that undocumented immigrants take, take, take and do not give anything back to the U.S. Yet to my knowledge undocumented immigrants can’t vote, they can’t access many social benefits and they live in constant fear of deportation. Many work in undervalued and underpaid jobs. Jobs that you and I do not want to do. Actually, undocumented immigrants pay billions of dollars in payroll taxes for Social Security and Medical services that they cannot claim. The taxes end up in the “earning suspense file” and guess what? Yes, those unclaimed tax dollars are used to benefit U.S. born citizens like you and I…
“Illegal Alien Supremacy”?
Please what a joke!
Since when do you wake up thinking,
“Boy, I wish I were an illegal alien, life would be so much easier for me?”
dannygirl • Oct 17, 2007 at 1:49 pm
This is supposed to keep college enrollment up. Ay? So colleges can get more students to make more money.
But with the Dream Act, not only would the illegal alien student (should not be in the US) would recieve in state tutition, but Pell and Tap grants because of low income. The government would still be paying for it. So tax payer money would be funding colleges in order for colleges to get more students. That’s absurd! More unnessary welfare programs. But soley for illegal aliens.
What about what you owe this country Ralph? You’re probably an illegal alien. Why is it always give me, give me, give me. You should be ashamed of yourself.
You should go back to your own native country and enter this country legally. Then act like a real American and give some true sacrifice and service to the United States of America. This country owes no one a college education. Let alone an illegal alien. Nancy Pelosi, President Bush and the other liberal dems have got you so spoiled and haunty that you don’t see the arrogant absurdity of the Dream Act Fantasy. You think it’s your right. It ‘s totally selfish. Charge me with racism. I’m a brown face too.
Cya Ralph. preferably in Mexico!
dannygirl • Oct 17, 2007 at 8:49 pm
This is supposed to keep college enrollment up. Ay? So colleges can get more students to make more money.
But with the Dream Act, not only would the illegal alien student (should not be in the US) would recieve in state tutition, but Pell and Tap grants because of low income. The government would still be paying for it. So tax payer money would be funding colleges in order for colleges to get more students. That’s absurd! More unnessary welfare programs. But soley for illegal aliens.
What about what you owe this country Ralph? You’re probably an illegal alien. Why is it always give me, give me, give me. You should be ashamed of yourself.
You should go back to your own native country and enter this country legally. Then act like a real American and give some true sacrifice and service to the United States of America. This country owes no one a college education. Let alone an illegal alien. Nancy Pelosi, President Bush and the other liberal dems have got you so spoiled and haunty that you don’t see the arrogant absurdity of the Dream Act Fantasy. You think it’s your right. It ‘s totally selfish. Charge me with racism. I’m a brown face too.
Cya Ralph. preferably in Mexico!
Ralph Macchio • Oct 16, 2007 at 8:57 pm
God, are you in college dannygirl? My god, please don’t tell me you attend Fresno St. with that kind of country grammar. But, yes……the DREAM Act seems like a total slam on California taxpayers and would totally diminish educational quality.
Ralph Macchio • Oct 17, 2007 at 3:57 am
God, are you in college dannygirl? My god, please don’t tell me you attend Fresno St. with that kind of country grammar. But, yes……the DREAM Act seems like a total slam on California taxpayers and would totally diminish educational quality.
dannygirl • Oct 16, 2007 at 4:04 pm
The Dream Act is a some kind of joke right? There are loop holes in this bill. First, illegal alien does not really have to serve in the military or go to college at all. He only has the option of two years of College or serving in the military. Gee, which one would you take?
Second, before the illegal alien even goes to college or serve in the military (joke) he/she gets amesty to stay in the US and greed cards for his/her whole illegal alien family. He/she doesn̢۪t even have to give or serve in anything. Real legal immigrants have been willing to serve in the military. Willing to give their lives to earn the right to become citzens. Besides, proponets are already whining that illegal aliens are forced to serve in the military. Wow, and just like real American Citizens that have joined the military to get college grants. Personally, I think the US can do a lot better then having to recruit illegal aliens who come here to only to gratify themselves.
Going to college and getting “in state tutionâ€Â to better one owns life is not a real sarcrifice of any kind. It’s just “illegal alien, please take take take.â€Â Gee, if all Americans could be treated in this way! It’s a Joke on America. Even American citizens from different states can not get in state tution. Then recieve pell and tap grants because of low income. Middle class American Citizens can not recieve those benifits. It’s a free ride. It’s Illegal Alien supremacy. The provision and benifits to the illegal alien is favored far above that of averge law abding American tax paying Citizen. At the Amereican tax payer expense.
Man, do we spoil illegals in this country or what? Liberal democrates and President Bush has them so spoiled they think they are entitled to this amesty. Where̢۪s the sacrifice or true service? Many American Citizens have willingly served in miltary to get the GI grants. He really sacrifices him/she self for his/her Country. But, what does the illegal alien sacrifice for this country after sneaking here illegally? How stupid do they think the American people are?
Illegal aliens should wake from their selfish arrogant fantasy and stop dreaming. What a nightmare. Illegal foreigners who are only out for themselves and what they can take. They don’t think to sacrificing or truly giving anything in debt to the United States of America.
dannygirl • Oct 16, 2007 at 11:04 pm
The Dream Act is a some kind of joke right? There are loop holes in this bill. First, illegal alien does not really have to serve in the military or go to college at all. He only has the option of two years of College or serving in the military. Gee, which one would you take?
Second, before the illegal alien even goes to college or serve in the military (joke) he/she gets amesty to stay in the US and greed cards for his/her whole illegal alien family. He/she doesn’t even have to give or serve in anything. Real legal immigrants have been willing to serve in the military. Willing to give their lives to earn the right to become citzens. Besides, proponets are already whining that illegal aliens are forced to serve in the military. Wow, and just like real American Citizens that have joined the military to get college grants. Personally, I think the US can do a lot better then having to recruit illegal aliens who come here to only to gratify themselves.
Going to college and getting “in state tution” to better one owns life is not a real sarcrifice of any kind. It’s just “illegal alien, please take take take.” Gee, if all Americans could be treated in this way! It’s a Joke on America. Even American citizens from different states can not get in state tution. Then recieve pell and tap grants because of low income. Middle class American Citizens can not recieve those benifits. It’s a free ride. It’s Illegal Alien supremacy. The provision and benifits to the illegal alien is favored far above that of averge law abding American tax paying Citizen. At the Amereican tax payer expense.
Man, do we spoil illegals in this country or what? Liberal democrates and President Bush has them so spoiled they think they are entitled to this amesty. Where’s the sacrifice or true service? Many American Citizens have willingly served in miltary to get the GI grants. He really sacrifices him/she self for his/her Country. But, what does the illegal alien sacrifice for this country after sneaking here illegally? How stupid do they think the American people are?
Illegal aliens should wake from their selfish arrogant fantasy and stop dreaming. What a nightmare. Illegal foreigners who are only out for themselves and what they can take. They don’t think to sacrificing or truly giving anything in debt to the United States of America.
Frank Costanza • Oct 15, 2007 at 10:26 am
good. The DREAM Act would kill in-state full tuition payers. The state college system needs funding to keep running. Education isn’t cheap, folks. And the children of illegal immigrants are allowed to attend and should pay up.
Frank Costanza • Oct 15, 2007 at 5:26 pm
good. The DREAM Act would kill in-state full tuition payers. The state college system needs funding to keep running. Education isn’t cheap, folks. And the children of illegal immigrants are allowed to attend and should pay up.