Councilman Robert Jackson of Manhattan has proposed a change be made to the New York Dream Act, an act that “would allow undocumented students who meet in-state tuition requirements in New York to access state financial aid for higher education,” according to nydreamact.org. The proposed change asks for the state’s legislature to change the language of the act in order to include “children of international professionals that were recruited by the US Government to work here at the local, state, or federal level.”
So many professionals come here from other countries to work and settle with their families. They came here on the promise that they would be to sponsor their children to receive US citizenship’s so that they could one day have legal residence in the United States of America. The long legal process that it takes to achieve citizen has made it hard for the immigration status of these individuals to be processed. Now, “these young and talented individuals, who identify with the American Society and where brought to this country legally by their parents, are now stuck in limbo and are unable to pursue their American DREAM,” according to the press release from Council Jackson’s office.
Councilman Jackson who is Chair of the Education Committee, said “I urge the New York State Legislation to pass the DREAM ACT with the amendment to include Caribbean DREAMers. These individuals accepted the Department of Education’s agreement to serve as educators with the prospect and hope of better life.” He went on to say “We have to ensure that our educators, who have provided an immense service to our educational system and children, are granted the promises that were made to them. Failing to do so will leave their families in an uncertain state and prevent their children from seeking higher education and becoming an integral part in our community!”
