Shaira Frias interviewed immigrant advocates and undocumented students who pushed for a New York State Dream Act, which would have provided financial aid to non-citizens. They didn’t succeed for 2014, but they these Dreamers are still dreaming.
They hope to convince skeptical New Yorkers that helping young immigrants will benefit everyone. This is a tough sell because in March 2014 a Sienna College poll found that 56 percent of New Yorkers oppose a state Dream Act.
But the young immigrants Shaira talked with point out that an investment in them is an investment in the future of the state and the country. They say they will be the next group of lawyers, engineers, doctors and professionals and entrepreneurs who make significant contributions to civic life.
New York’s failure to make the Dream Act a reality puts it behind states like Texas, California, New Mexico, New Jersey, Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado and Illinois, which offer some kind of tuition assistance to immigrants.
RESOURCES FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
There are resources for undocumented students locally and nationally. It’s a great idea to try to find those resources and take advantage of what’s available.
Maldef, a national Latino immigrants’ rights group based in L.A., keeps a list of scholarships available for undocumented students.
The College Board also put together a valuable list of resources for undocumented students. They break it down according to state and explain who to contact about the various programs.
A group called Educators for Fair Resources also lists scholarships and advocacy for immigrants.
In New York, CUNY offers free immigration services to students and there is help available in all five boroughs of the city.
In California, UCLA also provides resources for non-citizens.
What do you think? Comment and let us know.
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