Calif. DREAM Act Repeal In Motion
Efforts are underway to repeal California’s DREAM Act, a recently passed law that allows undocumented students to apply for non-state funded scholarships and public financial aid to attend public colleges and universities in California.
State Assemblyman Tim Donnelly is gathering signatures to challenge the law by way of voter referendum.
“At a time when we’re broke, when we have 2 million people unemployed, when state colleges are underfunded and overbooked, we’re creating a brand-new entitlement,” Donnelly said.
Fellow Assemblyman Gil Cedillo introduced the bill and served as one of its main supporters. He asserts that the state’s DREAM Act will allow students to receive a proper, affordable education and put our economy back on the right track.
“Our economy is in need of an educated workforce and the bill will help us achieve that,” Cedillo said. “The California DREAM Act puts us on a path toward economic stability by investing in our youth.”
As Campus Progress reported earlier this year, the California DREAM Act will provide up to $14.5 million in aid for undocumented students—a mere 1 percent of the state-based financial aid program, according to the California Department of Finance.
Opponents have until Jan. 6 to collect the 504,760 signatures necessary to place a repeal on the ballot next year.
Author of Arizona’s S.B. 1070 Kicked Out of Office
The architect of Arizona’s racist, radical, anti-immigrant law has been forced out of office.
In Tuesday’s election, voters in Arizona recalled state Senate President Russell Pearce—a sign of the public’s disapproval of the state’s harsh immigration policy.
“I think voters from all political spectrums—Republicans, Democrats and independents—came together to speak with one voice to say: the reign of President Pearce is over,” said Randy Parraz, the co-founder and president of Citizens for a Better Arizona, which spearheaded the recall effort.
Alabama Fighting DOJ’s Immigration Information Request
After concerns that Alabama’s immigration law may violate federal anti-discrimination policies specifically related to education, the Department of Justice asked for the enrollment information at Alabama public schools, according to the Associated Press.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange questioned the Department of Justice regarding what legal authority the Attorney General had in requesting enrollment data on Hispanic students in the state’s public schools.
In a letter response to Strange, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez wrote: “The Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department is tasked with investigating potential violations of civil rights laws that protect educational opportunities for schoolchildren.”
Even after receiving the letter, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office has still refused to cooperate and assist the Justice Department in its request.
