Today Governor Brown signed AB 131, the second portion of the California Dream Act, into law and demonstrated California’s leadership in advancing equal access to higher education for all. Undocumented students applaud Governor Brown’s leadership in investing in the next generation of Californians.
The California Dream Act was first introduced on January 11, 2011 by Assemblymember Gil Cedillo, and will allow students that meet the in-state tuition requirements to apply for and receive specified financial aid administered by California’s public colleges and universities. It is estimated that there are over 25,000 undocumented students who graduate every year from California’s high schools. Economic projections for the state of California suggest that by 2025 two of every five jobs will require a college graduate. AB 131 brings California a step closer towards fulfilling this need by allowing undocumented students to continue their education.
“As undocumented students we’ve faced a particularly difficult challenge in financing our education because of our ineligibility to apply for financial aid. The California Dream Act will protect the investment the state of California has made in our education,” said Erick Huerta , a Dream Team Los Angeles member and community college student .
According to a statement released by the Office of Governor Jerry Brown, “The California Department of Finance estimates that 2,500 students will qualify for Cal Grants as a result of AB 131, at a cost of $14.5 million. The overall Cal Grant program is funded at $1.4 billion, meaning that 1 percent of all Cal Grant funds will be potentially impacted by AB 131 when the law goes into effect”
The passage of the California Dream Act sends a strong message of hope to the rest of the country that we will continue to fight for justice until all immigrants are given an equal opportunity to fulfill their dreams.
For more information,
Contact: Nancy Meza
Phone: (424) 785-4013
Email: dreamteamlosangeles@gmail.com
Dream Team L.A.