Should the Governor sign the Dream Act?
32 Comments Published by clay September 22nd, 2007 in State and Local Politics.Legislature approves Dream Act
Students praised the state legislature’s passage Tuesday of an act that would give undocumented students greater access to state financial resources when going to college.
The California Dream Act, which has been supported by student groups, will give undocumented students the ability to apply for and receive state financial aid if it is signed by the governor, said Eric Guerra, spokesperson for Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), who wrote the act.
The bill is intended to serve as a supplement to Assembly Bill 540, passed in 2001, which gave all students who have attended a
However, the 2001 bill did not recognize the obstacles that undocumented students face when applying for state financial aid, he said.
“The (new) bill focuses on noncompetitive grants since we cut out the competitive Cal Grant, which is based only on financial need and GPA,” Guerra said. “What’s most important is the ability to access noncompetitive student aid, it’s less than a percent of the student population, it’s about a percent of student aid by the state.”
Student organizations throughout the university and on campus said they are pleased with the passage of the bill, and plan to continue their lobbying efforts by putting pressure on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign the act.
The governor vetoed a bill Cedillo wrote last year, saying that undocumented students might take resources away from documented students and
The UCSA, the system-wide student association, partnered with a student group at UCLA and the
Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education, a student group at UC Berkeley, started promoting awareness of the Dream Act on campus last February. Organizer Rodrigo Castellanos said the group is planning to send some students to
The federal act would make undocumented students eligible for federal financial aid, which they currently cannot receive.
Currently in
What is an undocumented student?
“If you are not a
Who are the undocumented students?
• The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in the year 2000, approximately 2.5. million
undocumented youth under age 18 were living in the
• Each year, over 65, 000 undocumented students graduate from
• 40% of all undocumented students live in
• In 2001, between 5,000-8,000 students in
I dont think that the Govenor should sign this. If he did then that would only encourage more illegal immigration. Think about it, if some one in mexico, or where ever, heard that they could get their children a college education for the same price as an “american” kid could, dont u think they would take that opportunity? How many would want a college education in the U.S for their children? I dont think its fair for those of us that came to the United States legally. Why should they have the same rights as we do if they broke the law to come into this country? they might as well make all immigration legal.
The governor should absolutely veto this. I don’t understand why illegal immigrants are given access to government services when they are here illegally. It seems like common sense to block them off from receiving government services until they go through the proper legal channels to become citizens. However, I know that those proper legal channels are FUBAR, so I’d say take away these programs from illegal aliens already here and give them ways that they can more easily become US citizens.
I know I usually write more in these things when I really care, and I do care, but really this should be simple. Government programs should only be for legal residents. The idea of specifically giving these programs to people who are here illegally is ridiculous.
BTW, I know this is off topic, but why does Ann Coulter appear on this site as an ad? Aside from maybe Bill O Riley, that’s the last person I’d want to be associated with.
Andrew,
I am not sure why Ann Coulter appears rather than Bill O Riley or any other person. It is based on google’s webcrawler.
The undocumented/illegal alien issue has hit certain states and cities more than others. To one extreme, some people want to deport all of them. Is this possible? To other extreme, some people want to grant them citizenship. However, the U.S. is already taking in 2 million legally immigrants a year. The Department of Homeland Security is overwhelmed.
The other issue leads to another question. When you legally immigrate to the United States from Mexico, Central America, or South America all aliens must enter the country to pick up their visas (exception visitor visas) in one location (Ciudad Juarez, MX). While in Ciudad Juarez, you go through medical tests and a meeting with the U.S. Embassy (Department of State). At that point, the Department of State /U.S. Embassy can deny you access or ask you to come back after paying a fine or a specific time period. For example, when I was there, there were two cases I remember regarding illegal aliens. They both were getting married to a U.S. Citizen. In one case, the U.S. Embassy told them to pay a fine and return in a week. In the other case, they told the illegal alien he would need to return to Mexico for 6 months. They asked him to come back with evidence that shows he worked and lived in Mexico during this time period.
Department of State (U.S. Embassy) is responsible for granting visas at border crossings
Department of Homeland Security (UCIS) is responsible for granting conditional or permanent resident cards once they are in the U.S.
If the Department of Homeland Security can handle the people flow, will illegal aliens/undocumented aliens feel comfortable enough to go facing the Department of State/U.S. Embassy?
I belive the governer should veto this bill. It would first cause the completion for financial aid, because US citizen would not only have to compete with other US citzen but with illegal immigrants. Which would lead to some US citizens not getting a good education because someone who didn’t have the patenice, or the willingness to go through our immagration system, then come to our country and expect us to hand them the silver platter, for example an illegal alien, ignores all our regulation for immagrants, hopes the boarder, and then goes and tells the government that they need to take care of him, feed him and provide for him and then give him someone else’s moeny so he can get educated, instead of a person who’s a citizen, who has done all that his country asked him to, and when the illegal alien get looked at wrong he complains and asks where is justice? Are we to take the bread from the children and give it to strangers? Is the government supposed respect those who spitt upon it’s laws, and regulations? where would the justice be in that?
This whole bill seems so good in theory. I first read about it and thought wow, this would be helping so many people. Once I thought about it more, I realize that this bill should not be passed.
Our country is making a whole fuss about illegal immigrants. Barriers are meant to keep immigrants out. When we institute programs for illegal immigrants it is a sort of invitation saying ” Hey, why not take advantage of the US, and hop that lame border?” The country would not approve of another program allowing for US money to go out to illegal immigrants. I do not believe that Arnold would ever pass this.
Also, there are so many LEGAL US citizens that need help paying for college. Extra money should go to helping the students who have the grades, and the citizenship but not the money to afford a higher education.
I also demand that the governator veto this bill. This is just absurd, it is almost as if we are encouraging illegals to break the law. Why should they be rewareded and be handed a free education for breaking the law? this is just not right. Say if I were to break into your house which you were renting and stole a chair then the landlord were to give me a room in your house for free, the logic behind this is crazy. Though I do know that it is very hard to become a legal citizen, the government should just make easier for these people to become legal. One thing I do know is that our current immigration laws are just not cutting it, something needs to happen regarding this.
I strongly belive that this bill should be signed. I know that right now I am probably disagreeing with many people. Not focusing on wheter or not more illegal immigrants will be coming to this country this is a very thought out bill that helps students that really want to do something good for themselves.( go to college) If you really think about it who are the people that leave their countries in search of a better life, the people that want to succeed and work hard. It is not as if gang members are going to be trying to go to four year colleges. Overall practically all students need financial aid so they should really still be focusing on getting money for all students and not cutting budgets for schools. The country really needs to get their act together and start putting money where it really belongs. Still this bill probably will not be passed because most people right now are against immigrants coming to the country even though they work for cheap.:(
I believe that the Governor should veto this bill. It doesn’t make much sense to me. We’re trying to keep illegal immigrants out of this country but it’s ok to help them receive a better education? Like mentioned above, signing the bill would only invite more immigrants to come to the US illegally. If it’s something we’re trying to prevent, then why encourage it? Giving illegal immigrants a chance to receive financial aid will just give US Citizen students more competition in receiving financial aid. That may very well lead to disapproval by many students across the country. So I say that the bill should be vetoed. Help get our own citizens threw college before the others.
I strongly support the California Dream Act. I think that this bill should be sign, because i dont think it really harms anyone. I mean the people that really want this to be passed or the ones that are going to benefit from this are students who truly want to do something better in life,some of them need financial aid for this to happen. If the bill is pass, only the students that have been in the U.S for more than 5 years and have attended a high school for at least 3 years in california and gave receive their high diploma from this state will be eligable for this act.So, far the only thing that the students have that are undocumented is the AB-540, but this only gives the right to pay in state tuition, and to apply to this you need to promise that you are going to try to bacome a resident as soon as you are eligable for, but when is this going to happen if nothing is being pass?! i really disagree with what Damian said, about how we’re encouraging people to come here illegally, is not that we’re encouraging them because you need to go through a long proccessed before you can be eligable for this act.I’m sorry but i dont really understand why some of my classmates are saying that they want this bill to be veto and instead they would rather want to make the laws to become legal residents easier.”give them ways that they can more easily become US citizens.” this is something that Andrew Laffin said,and it realy doesnt make sense to me,he’s saying that he would rather help 12 million people to become residents, then only 65,000 student who are asking for the Dream Act to be pass. I mean if he’s truly against something why would he rather help 12 million over only 65,000 students that are doing nothing wrong than just trying to get a higer education. 40% like it was said on the blog of the students that are undocumented are here in California. why not help them? the money they are going to be receiving is money that the same citizens aren’t taking advantage of, so why not give a hand to someone who truly needs it, and it’s willing to wrok for it? i mean the money is being thrown away because the same US citizens aren’t taking it.in the blog it also said that in the year of 2001 out of the 65,000 students only 5,000-8,000 students were eligable for the AB-540, there are some students that have applied for this and they have gone to colleges and universities and now that they have accomplished a step to their DREAM they can’t keep going because they’re dreams stops there, they can’t work within the area that they have studied for I just dont understand what harm they can do to the US citizens or how this is going to affect the education of the US citizens! the only people that are going benefit from this are thsoe who have done everything that has been asked for and that they have done it propertly. celise also mentioned this “there are so many LEGAL US citizens that need help paying for college.” then why dont they look for the money, i mean people if they really want the money dont you think they would look for it there’s plenty of money out there, that the citizens dont take and it’s basically thrown away!
I hope that the governor signs the Dream Act, because it would help the students that deserve it!
i am trying this new thing where i look at both sides of the story. i truly couldn’t even begin to think how much stress the governor is under. no matter what he chooses someone is gong to complain. so looking at it from both sides, i think that he should sign it. i mean if someone is trying to make something out of them selves, then why hold them back. the people that are in the U.S that aren’t considered citizens, work their butts off. Just to get the things that are handed to us. But then again we are having a problem with illegal immigrants. Which I think is a load of crap. But anyways yes this could cause even more. I think he should. Sorry I don’t see it on the other side at the moment. If we have privileges and opportunities then why not share the advantage with others? i think he should sign it.
I believe that the government shouldn’t pass this law. I don’t believe that it fair to the American citizens that go to school for education. reason being is because if illegal families were to find out about this opportunity than they will take advantage of it, and come into the United States. It would be weird to how the government is trying to stop illegal immigration and then start opening an opportunity for illegal students. doesn’t make any sense. If your trying to avoid something, avoid it! to open an opportunity to which will allow the people trying to be avoided accessible to a place where they aren’t going to be accepted. It’s also not fair to them either because they won’t be treated the same, down the road, government can change their mind and bring the immigrants hopes from high up to low down. but thats just my opinion.
I do not think the governor should sign the Dream Act, because there will be more competition for the people who deserve it the most, American citizens. By giving illegal immigrants the chance to receive greater access to financial support there is less money readily available to American citizens who deserve a large portion of it. Also some of the money given for financial support comes from taxpayer’s pockets so it would not be far to give tax payers money to illegal immigrants who do not pay taxes. The money should be invested to American citizens. Also I think it gives other possible immigrants the wrong impression that they will be able to immigrate to the U.S. and receive more financial funding from the government for college. For example what if families at first never thought of immigrating to the U.S. but if this bill is passed this may encourage them to moves.
I strongly believe the Governor should veto the Dream Act. I understand that all these people want is a better lifestyle, which leads to a better education; however, they are illegal. The majority of illegal immigrants do not benefit our economy; therefore, why should they be allowed to receive our tax money. That money should only belong to the citizens of the United States. They do not give a good and valid reason to receive this money other than they want or need a better education. I understand that and feel for them. But this will only encourage more illegal immigration. It’s saying that as long as you live here for a few years, you’d be allowed to feed off of the government and it’s current citizens.
Many immigrants do not even assimilate into our society or culture. They want our benefits such as a better economy while still maintaining their culture. The population within the United States is diverse yet assimilated. Many immigrants, especially from South and Central America, refuse to assimilate into our culture. They form little cities within our country such as China Town or little Mexico. It’s a matter of wanting or allowing the U.S to be a salad bowl or a melting pot.
It would be helping out a lot of people, but how would it affect the rest of us? That means less money for the other moderate citizens of the U.S or even encouraging other illegal immigration. Yes there are a lot of illegal aliens currently living in the U.S, but that does not mean we should give them free money after they deliberately came here illegally. I’m strongly against illegal immigration. I do feel sympathy for these people, because all they desire is a better lifestyle. However it’s damaging our economy and society to a point, from looking at the salad bowl and melting pot point of view. The Governor should not sign the Dream Act.
I think this Bill should be passed. There are many people wanting for a better life and a better education. I don’t see how this would affect an American Citizen. These “illegal” people aren’t responsible from where they came from, and why in their country the education that they’ve always wanted wasn’t there. I believe every individual has the right to be successful no matter where they’re at nor where they came from. So what if they’re immigrants, they have the same chance to be successful than any other American Citizen. They’re still human beings, born with the same rights as any other human being in this planet. A better education should not be denied to anyone that has the potential and want for it.
The California Dream Act should be vetod and re-written with strick rules, such as a parent should show proof of them paying their taxes and or the students maintaing at least a 2.8 CSU GPA or higher. And if that is already part of the act, then Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should sign the act as soon as possible. I do believe that anyone has a right to an education as long as they work hard and are ambitious, but I don’t believe it should be just be handed out to them, just because people may pity them. I dispise it when people play the “I’m poor” role and then you see them in an ezpensive car and wearing some pricey clothing.
I beleive the bill should be passed! immigrants have stuggled in this country for quite sometime, they deserve the right any other American has. They are a part of our society wether you agree with it or not. They are like the little working ants running an ant colony, they are the ones that due all the low paid jobs. They are the base of our country if it were not for them all the fast food places would be reduced by half. Immigrants worked their way into our country, just like any other American. The majority of them work and pay goverment taxes. In return we can at least fund a college education, the money is their and half the time it dosent even get used! Why waste an oppurtunity, that immigrant can be a helping aid to society. We as Americans should now of oppurtunities our countries morals are liberty, freedom and justice for all.
In my personal opinion i strongly belive that the governor should veto the act. i believe that the governor should veto the act because their are a lot of people that come to the United States just for the the things that the United States has to offer, and some of those people take advantage of that. I understand that some illegal immigrants come to the United States to seek for a better life for themselves. Some of those immigrants come here for a better future and what i mean by future is a better educational career. That is why now some people are fighting for what they believe is right for them and what they think they may deserve. I would understand and agree to signt the dream act if the majority of the immigrants came to study and make these country a better place.
However, most of the immigrants come for the welfare/medical and all the things that the government helps you with when you have economical issues. I dont think thats right because its not fair for the citizens of the United States that pay taxes and do everything the right way, hence an illegal immigrant could come and take all that away by doing all the wrong things and not being a citizen of the United States.
i would be ok if they would ask for a higher GPA, that way whoever wanted a better education would work twice as hard for it. It would also prove how many illegal immigrants are actually willing to really put their minds into studying and not just fooling around doing nothing and taking benefits from this country. I believe anyone has the right to have an educatin the only thing that matters is are they willing to do what ever it takes to get that education? I believe that if you want something you have to work for it not just have it handed out to you. Thats why “no pain, no gain” a long as you dont do nothing you wont get anything in return. Thats why i thingk everybody should put everythig they got into education bwcause it plays an important role in everybodies life, your future depends on it.
Well, I hate to say that these teens can’t have an education, because they do deserve it. Every child, young adult, and adult deserves to have equal opportunity for an education. But what would this bill bring about? Mass immigration? You might as well just open the borders! The point is that maybe we could do something to help them. Each university possibly help support a sister school in Mexico or S. America. Or even send a representative to a school in Mexico to help set up a more effective educational program.
I agree that something does need to be done, but not here. Instead of giving them food to eat, we need to try to teach them how to fish. We have enough of our own problems, and we can’t have more dependencies on us.
I believe this bill should be passed. there are many illegal aliens here in California that just want to have a shot at getting a great education here, in Mexico its not the same, i have an aunt and uncle in Mexico that are both college professors, they both had to go to school just like over here in the U.S. and the sad thing is i make more money then them and i work part time. i can understand that U.S. citizens will have to compete with illegal aliens thats why it was so hard for me to make my decision on this. however i have seen that its usually the undocumented student that works very very hard while a U.S. citizen likes to slack off but yet they think that an illegal shouldn’t get it because they came here illegally when in reality they deserve it more than anyone.
To me, I think this dream needs to stay a dream, and nothing more. It seems to me, like illegal immigration is being promoted. Rene, there wouldn’t need to be so many fast food places, because our cities wouldn’t be over populated. Also every other American didn’t need to work there way into this country. They were born here. If illegal immigrants worked as hard as the claim to have worked here, why don’t they work together to help their OWN country. I don’t understand. Illegal immigrants need to stop begging for rights and opportunities and realize how good they actually have it. I’m so surprised that our government has let this go so far. Immigrants marching about how they have it bad, and they deserve stuff. “Man, it must’ve been hard crossing a boarder”! Try being raped in a slave ship! “Man it sucks my 12 member family has to be stuck in this small house”! Try having your family broken up and sold off for money you’ll never have! “Man it sucks I get small jobs for little pay!” Try working for free while being physically and mentally abused! Be thankful for the things that you do have, and stop complaining. If its such an unfair country go back to yours. In conclusion, if you haven’t already figured it out, I think it would be ridiculous if the governor signed the dream act.
p.s… i agree with sam
When first reading this, I agreed with it, thinking that it would be helping lots of people. but after really really thinking about it, i dont believe the governor should sign the Dream Act. We already have a problem with immigration right now and I think this will just create a bigger one. For example, if i was living in Mexico and I had the chance to send my kids to California to recieve a better education then I would! so just imagine all parents in mexico thinking this way. It will just create crazyness at the border. so I overall think the Governor should veto this law
I believe that the bill should be passed because “illegal immigrants” have suffered so much wanting to get the same rights and same education as us. Sure they got here illegally but they aren’t trying to cause any harm to this country they came here for one reason, so have a better education and a better life. It seems as if the aliens work A LOT harder than the average American student so i believe that they should get some better education because they deserve it. Its simple as that. Many people think they shouldn’t just because they illegal but that doesn’t mean that they are causing something. They just want a better life and they deserve that. So i say it should be passed
i agree that this bill should be passed. immagrants are people too who obviously are trying to do something with there lives so why stop them. what makes us better than them that we deny them the right to reach a higher education. i do know people who are immagrants, familys that have come to try and better there lives and who do pay government taxes. so just because they dont have the title of being a legal immigrant doesnt mean they dont act and do there duties as one. i really dont see why people are so negative about this bill, its just to help some kids get an education, play there part in the world. this country is mixed with all kind of races and beliefs, so why are people trying to stop just one kind of people.
The Governor should veto this bill. This bill is just ridiculous. Lets take a moment to think about illegal immigrants. They have entered this country illegally which last time i checked was illegal. First off, the younger illegal immigrants get FREE lower education anyways. When they are old enough to attend college, why should they be eligible for financial aid? Why should an illegal immigrant be rewarded for sneaking over the boarder? Why should the state of California help pay for students who are not United States citizens?
*If I was to steal a pack of gum, should I be rewarded?
…..probably not since its illegal
The sad truth is that if this act is signed, who is to stop more immigrants coming here in hopes of higher education. It’s a hard opportunity to pass up. The other part is that who is to say that illegal immigrants don’t deserve a higher education. Individually, they’re not responsible for their country’s problems. Not to say that the U.S. doesn’t have any, but it’s different than it is here compared to other countries. It’s really sad to say illegal immigrants shouldn’t be able to receive state financial aid, but it would trigger some kind of epidemic immigration. Sure it sounds bad, but when you apply for financial aid, imagine how many other people are trying to do the same, and if it passes then the number of people can only go higher and the question will be “How high can we go?” Some people may even take advantage of this and not take things seriously. Beverly C made a good point in saying that they DO have it good here than where they were before (made it sound harsh though). I really want to say that it should be signed, but there is so much that can happen. veto
I believe that the Governor should veto this bill. This bill is only going to take away from the legal citizens who really need the financial aid. I understand that the people come to the U.S. to give their children a chance for a better life, but we should worry about ourselves. Illegal immigrants do not pay taxes and by passing this bill, they will be using our tax money to get financial aid. If they would like to get the same opportunities for financial aid as legal citizens, then they should pay the same taxes we do. I know that the immigrants are coming to the U.S. for a better life and education, but by passing this bill, the legal citizens will be paying for all of their financial aid while they pay nothing.
i do think that the govenor should sign the dream act because that would give the undocumented people a chance to study, graduate, det a job, and in the end help out the economy. i think that giving them a chance to study would be great because they come to the u.s. to better their lives and they are determined to work hard and do what they came here to do. i really beleive that he should sign this bill and give the illegal immigrants a chance to show that they are not causing problems, like most people say they are.
I personally STRONGLY believe that this bill should NOT be passed. If this bill is passed, California will become even MORE populated. This bill would be telling all illegal immigrants to come over to the U.S. Yes, I know this bill sounds great when you first read it because you think, “hey, they are just trying to make a better life for themselves and their family”. That is all good BUT, then when you begin to REALLY think about it, you believe it should be vetoed. I believe it should be vetoed because I think that giving them the “right” to receive financial aid for college is absurd. The money should only be used for U.S. citizens. Giving illegal immigrants money for college would be taking away money from U.S. citizens that are in desperate need for the aid themselves. I mean if you want to come to the U.S. and receive a better life and education for yourself, that’s just dandy, BUT DO IT LEGALLY. And also, if this bill is passed we will be telling all illegal immigrants that it is fine to come here illegally and use the government’s financial aids. Lastly, if they have so many problems in their own countries then they should step up and demand CHANGE in their country!
I strongly believe that the governor SHOULD sign the dream act. I think that education shouldn’t be denied to any student just because they have no money to go to college. EVERYONE deserves an equal opportunity, from this country or not! Isn’t it enough leaving your family, friends, and your country behind you? Why shouldn’t we aid a student who wants to go to college? Just because they don’t have a security number isn’t a good enough reason to aid them. Obviously these students have worked their butts off to get that far. Hasn’t their journey to get where they are enough? These students may one day save your life for all you know. If people would only put themselves in their position, they’d understand. Take for instance Cesar Gomez, he was accepted into UC Berkeley but couldn’t attend because he didn’t have enough money and was denied financial aid. His parents came to this country in better hopes and dreams for him. All they ever wanted was the best for their child.And just to find out their son is denied financial aid, it must make them feel hopeless. His parents have made great sacrifices for him. Cesar Gomez hasn’t done any harm to this country, and all he wants is some money. I’m sure there’s students out there who are from this country and don’t use financial aid, so why not give it to someone who wants it?
I do not think that Arnold should sign the Dream Act. Illegal immigrants do not help pay taxes, other than the 8.25% sales tax. They don’t file income taxes, and they don’t get taxes cut from their paychecks. If this passes, they will be taking money from the government and not doing anything in return.
Say Bob climbs over the fence into Jack’s backyard. Bob thinks it’s a nice backyard, and decides to live there for free without Jack’s permission. Then Bob decides he wants to drive, and makes Jack pay for his car, insurance, and anything else he needs to do this.
I’m all for immigration, but when illegal immigrants (who are criminals, believe it or not) can get such luxaries like free Healthcare when citizens and legal immigrants don’t get such pleasures, something’s going wrong here.
I belive that the Governor should pass this law. Many of you say that illegeal immigrants dont pay taxes, but many do and they dont get much of it back. Whats more, many of them dont complain. They work hard while you have other Legal Americans living off of welfare and sucking up our taxes (im not saying everyone on welfare is this way).
I dont think anyone should be denied the right to better their lifes.
If it were possible, they probably would try and better their countries, but corruption and fear run so strongly, its nearly impossible.
We are lucky to be born here. Would we answer the same way if WE were the ones hoping for the Dream Act to pass?