Chicano Caucus Students Press for DREAM Act

Despite another rejection of the DREAM Act in the U.S. Senate last October, members of the Chicano Caucus remain unshaken in their resolve to ensure that it passes the next time it is introduced.

Under the newest version of the act, undocumented immigrant children who were brought into the U.S. more than five years ago when they were 15 years old or younger and have no criminal records will be able to apply for six-year temporary residence status. If the student either serves in the military, graduates from a two-year college, or completes at least two years toward a four-year degree during the six years, he will be granted permanent residence and will be eligible for need-based financial aid given to U.S. citizens at colleges like Barnard and Columbia.

Approximately 65,000 undocumented immigrant students who arrived in the U.S. at the age of 15 or younger graduate high school annually, according to the Immigration Policy Center. But most, due to financial difficulties, have no choice but to defer higher education. The latest resurrection of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act was tabled on Oct. 24, failing to garner the 60 votes required to break a Republican filibuster.

Chicano Caucus students are planning to host a “Day of Action” next semester to increase awareness about the DREAM Act.

Students in the Chicano Caucus predict that the bill will resurface in 2009. “We hope that next year, we’ll still get the ball rolling,” said Yadira Alvarez, political chair of Chicano Caucus. “Chicano Caucus is an organization that is unanimously in support of the DREAM Act. There is no doubt we all want it to pass."

Alvarez said the group feels particularly passionate about the DREAM Act because Columbia students would personally benefit from its implementation. Last semester, the Chicano Caucus held a teach-in about the act and rallied at Low Plaza for support, yielding 140 letters to U.S. senators. This semester, the Chicano Caucus had planned to host a “Day of Action” that did not occur due to the defeat of the bill.

Opponents of the DREAM Act, such as Dan Stein of the Federation of American Immigration Reform, said the act is unfair to American citizens. “Any program like this is going to be a magnet that attracts people here illegally,” Stein said in an interview on PBS NewsHour. “People are trying to get their kids through school, save their money, take out expensive loans. And now we’re supposed to provide subsidized, taxpayer-funded secondary education college for people who don’t have a right to be here?”

Christina Jiminez, who works at the youth council of the New York Immigration Coalition, disagrees.

“The DREAM Act is not a give-away ... it is not even an award to these people. ... The students were raised here with American values, knowing the government, the history, and even the holidays, and they get to realize that they don’t belong here.”

Although education is guaranteed for undocumented immigrant students until 12th grade under federal law, whether they can advance to higher education is unclear. Currently, only 10 states, including New York, charge undocumented immigrant students in-state tuition fees. In the remaining 40 states, including New Jersey and Connecticut, undocumented immigrant students are considered international students and have to pay full tuition.

Seo Hee Im can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com.