New York DREAM Bill Advances

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. announced this week that he had helped pass the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act to expand access to higher education for the children of immigrants. The legislation is the State Assembly’s version of the DREAM Act, which already provides college financial aid for children of undocumented immigrants. It was pushed through in order to secure financial aid for the roughly 4,500 undocumented students who graduate from New York high schools each year and hope to attend colleges in the state, the assemblyman said.

Under New York’s bill, students will also be eligible for general awards, merit-based awards, and the state’s Tuition Assistance Program if they meet certain criteria, such as having attended an approved in-state high school for two or more years, graduated from such a school, and applied to an in-state college or university within five years of receiving a high school diploma.

“Children should not be punished because their parents brought them here in search of a better life, making sacrifices, and experiencing hardships many of us couldn’t even imagine,” Assemblyman Thiele said. “Let me be clear, these are children who know no other home and we are proud to have them here. We will not turn our backs on them. We will not push them into the shadows. To all ‘Dreamers’: You are New Yorkers, you are valued, and you are worthy.” 

The bill also would establish a DREAM scholarship fund through private donations, and will expand access to the New York State College Savings 529 Program, so that parents of undocumented immigrant children with a valid taxpayer identification number can set up tuition savings accounts.

“Even though the federal administration is shamefully targeting ‘Dreamers’ by dismantling the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, New Yorkers know that America was built on dreams,” Assemblyman Thiele said.

“Expanding access to higher education for the children of immigrants is the right thing to do. They have worked hard, and they deserve every chance to soar and make this state stronger.” 

Minerva Perez, the executive director of the Organizacion Latino-Americana, said she was “actually quite pleased” that Mr. Thiele is engaged on this topic, noting that in the past he had rarely commented on immigration. “Some of the content of this act already exists but given the fact it is in terrible jeopardy, his support is greatly needed and appreciated. Financial assistance for undocumented students is huge and making them eligible for the various programs is amazing,” she said. 

Undocumented students in South Fork schools have been advised to speak with their guidance counselors to learn more about programs for which they might be eligible.

A version of the New York DREAM bill is pending in the State Senate.