Controversial California Dream Act Becomes Law
Governor Jerry Brown signed dozens of bills this weekend, but perhaps the most controversial was his passing of the Dream Act on Saturday.
The California Dream Act makes undocumented immigrant students eligible for state financial aid, under AB 131.
Beginning in 2013, illegal immigrants who are accepted into state universities can receive Cal-Grant assistance.
The California Department of Finance has estimated that the Dream Act will cost the state about $14.5 million, assuming that around 2,500 students will qualify.
Brown's office released a statement saying that because the overall Cal Grant program is funded at $1.4 billion, only 1 percent of these funds will be re-directed by the Dream Act.
Brown supports his descision by pointing out how enabling more high-achieving students to get into American universities will help the entire country.
"The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us," Brown said in a statement.
Supporters of the measure see it as an investment in promising students.
"It's like putting money in the bank," said Dolores Olmos-Rodriguez, the president of Latinas Unidas, an organization that provides scholarships to young Latinas, to ABC. "They [undocumented students] become professionals with skills...and they're going to give back to the community."
Others say the measure undermines the country's stance on immigration, and worse, takes money away from students who are legal residents of California.
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[...] By Jordan Lee and Nancy Martinez Governor Jerry Brown signed dozens of bills this weekend, but perhaps the most controversial was his passing of the Dream Act on Saturday. The California Dream Act makes undocumented immigrant students eligible for … Read more on Annenberg TV News [...]