We have a dream...
Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the California DREAM Act by October 14
"I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream..." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "I Have a Dream," 1963
If the Governor signs it by October 14, the California DREAM Act (Senate Bill 1) will strengthen the state's workforce and energize California's economy by allowing qualified undocumented immigrant students -- who grew up in California and graduated from our high schools -- to apply for and receive financial aid at our colleges and universities.
This historic piece of civil rights legislation is currently sitting on Arnold's desk awaiting his signature. Like the Voting Rights Act leveraged into law by Dr. King's vision for an integrated America, the California DREAM Act will transform the future of our country -- and impact the lives of millions of people, immigrants and non-immigrants alike.
As Senator Barack Obama said of Governor Schwarzenegger's pending decision:
"You know our immigration system is truly broken when we punish children who have learned English and worked hard to succeed in school so that they can become American citizens. Enforcement alone will not solve the immigration crisis we face. If Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes the DREAM Act a second time, he will compound the immigration crisis by driving thousands of children who were on the right path into the shadows.
We teach our children that in America, you will thrive if you work hard and dream big. Governor Schwarzenegger now has the chance to demonstrate that instead of blaming one group for the challenges America faces, he can unite Californians and give children who play by the rules the opportunity to succeed."
Please join the Courage Campaign, State Senator Gil Cedillo, Senator Barack Obama and students across California in showing your support for the California DREAM Act by urging the Governor to sign SB 1 before October 14.
Take action now. Sign our letter and/or call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today:
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:
We strongly urge you to sign into law SB 1 (Cedillo), the California DREAM Act.
This bill will ensure that all California high school graduates accepted into state public institutions of postsecondary education are eligible for state-sponsored financial aid.
The California DREAM Act focuses on non-competitive student aid, which ensures that current and future students receiving financial aid will not be affected by an increased pool of recipients. A previous law (AB 540) allowed these children of immigrants to pay in-state tuition at California colleges and universities. However, many of these students need state financial aid to meet the exorbitant cost of tuition.
These aren't just any students -- many of these students are the first generation of their families to attend college and are among the poorest and most in need of tuition assistance in California. They are the children of undocumented immigrants whose lives were profoundly changed the moment their parents brought them to America. Almost all of them came here without choice.
As you personally know, perhaps the best path out of poverty -- and the most effective way to realize California's potential -- is to invest in educating those who want to become productive members of our society. That's why we are standing with student leaders throughout California to urge you to sign the California DREAM Act into law before October 14.
Please do the right thing now so that California can guarantee that all students seeking higher education are given equal opportunity.