View Content #737
| Contentid | 737 |
|---|---|
| Content Type | 1 |
| Title | MALDEF ENCOURAGED BY BI-PARTISAN EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD THE DREAM ACT |
| Body | From: Marie Watteau Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund 1717 K St., NW, Suite 311 Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 293-2828, (202) 293-2849 FAX Press Release October 24, 2003 CONTACTS: Marie Watteau (202) 293- 2828, ext. 16 Jim Ferg-Cadima (202) 293-2828, ext. 11 J.C. Flores (213) 629-2512, ext. 124 MALDEF ENCOURAGED BY BI-PARTISAN EFFORT TO MOVE FORWARD THE DREAM ACT Officials are pleased with the Senate bill in current form but will work for children of immigrants to gain access to federal grants (WASHINGTON, D.C.) MALDEF, the nation's premier Latino civil rights organization, applauds the efforts of Senators Grassley (R-IA) and Feinstein (D-CA), in the Judiciary Committee, who yesterday led the way to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM Act), S. 1545, without many objectionable measures, and MALDEF officials are encouraged with the bill's movement. However, they vowed to take the lead to reintroduce a provision that would allow the affected students to access federal Pell grants, which would allow them to afford the cost of college. The DREAM Act, which would make it easier for immigrant students to obtain lower in-state tuition rates for higher education, was passed out of the committee on a vote of 16-to-3 and will go the to floor for full Senate consideration. MALDEF worked to defeat nearly 30 anti-immigrant amendments that were proposed and rejected - ranging from making DREAM Act students turn in their parents for deportation to qualify for a green card to weakening states' rights. The more moderate Grassley/Feinstein amendment, although somewhat objectionable to MALDEF, paved the way for the bill's passage. Adopted by an 18-to-1 vote, the Grassley/Feinstein amendment: (1) removed the community service option for a DREAM Act conditional green card holder to convert to permanent resident status after six years, (2) made DREAM Act students eligible to be tracked under Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and (3) made DREAM Act students eligible for federal financial aid (loans and work study) but excluded them from grants. For the last two congresses, MALDEF has steadfastly supported the various bi-partisan versions of the DREAM Act, sponsored by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Richard Durbin (D-IL), a bill that if passed, would create a reasonable path to citizenship and college for undocumented students who have long lived in the United States. "We believe the Senate Judiciary Committee's bi-partisan decision was a significant step in the right direction for making the dream of college come true for some of the best and brightest in our community," said Jim Ferg-Cadima, MALDEF Legislative Staff Attorney. "However, MALDEF remains concerned that Pell grants will not be available to DREAM Act students. Federal grants like Pell often make or break the reality of college for many Latinos; MALDEF will work to assure that Pell grants are reintroduced in the final bill." Founded in 1968, MALDEF, a national nonprofit organization, promotes and protects the rights of Latinos through advocacy, community education and outreach, leadership development, higher education scholarships and when necessary, through the legal system. Marie Watteau Public Affairs/Policy Analyst MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund) 1717 K St., NW, Suite 311 Washington, DC 20036 202-293-2828 ext. 16 202-293-2849 fax www.maldef.org |
| Source | MALDEF |
| Inputdate | 2003-10-27 13:15:00 |
| Lastmodifieddate | 2003-10-27 13:15:00 |
| Expdate | Not set |
| Publishdate | Not set |
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| Active | 1 |
| Emailed | 1 |
| Isarchived | 1 |
