Children of Immigrants
California has started the ball rolling with this welcome addition. On Monday, July 25, 2011, California’s Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill allowing young, undocumented immigrants to receive financial aid for their education at public colleges. Assembly Bill 130 gives student immigrants, who qualify for in-state tuition, the opportunity to apply for private financial aid. Brown stated, “Our future is uncertain if we neglect those children. But it’s absolutely abundant if we invest in their education, their child care, their future, their neighborhoods.” The Bill was approved by the Senate; however, the broader Assembly Bill 131, allowing student immigrants to seek public aid, such as state-funded scholarships, has yet to be discussed.
There are no updates from the Senate since the June 28, 2011 hearing of the DREAM Act. We hope to have good news soon we will keep you posted!