DREAM For a Better Future

On May 29, 2013, student and community groups are holding simultaneous actions to demand Governor Christie and the NJ State Legislature to pass state legislation A3509/S2479. Commonly known as the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors), A3509/S2479 allows eligible youth to qualify for in-state tuition and access to state financial aid at New Jersey’s public colleges and universities.

Community groups are urging concerned citizens to take a stand for a person’s right to affordable and quality education regardless of immigration status. Several groups such as the NJ Dream Act Coalition, NJ United Students, Essex County DREAM Team and many more are running a week of action for tuition equity. This bill needs to be passed by June 30^th, 2013 so the pressure is high to create effective change before the budget deadline.

The NJTED (New Jersey Tuition Equity for DREAMERS) Campaign launched a rally at the State House in Trenton on January 8, just before Governor Christie’s State of the State Address. For the past five months, the NJ Dream Act campaign has been steadily gaining legislative and community support. Dozens of student groups, community organizations, labor unions and faith-based groups have signed on as endorsers of the campaign. The cities of Jersey City, Passaic, Elizabeth, Plainfield and New Brunswick all passed city resolutions urging the New Jersey State Legislature to enact the passage of A3509/S2479. Additionally, Essex County Freeholders and Union County Freeholders have both signed similar resolutions.

The undocumented immigrant population in New Jersey makes up 6.2% of the total state population, making it the fourth-highest rate in the nation. In New Jersey, undocumented immigrants make up 8.6% of the state’s workforce and paid $446.1 million in state and local taxes in 2010. Despite their contribution to the local economy, undocumented immigrants are required to pay out-of-state tuition rates to attend college, and are ineligible for financial aid and scholarships. Hundreds of youths are barred from the opportunity to further themselves through education because of lack of funds. The DREAM act will allow New Jersey to invest in its future by creating educated and worldly leaders.

The New Jersey Dream Act Week of Action aims to supplement ongoing legislative visits with a demonstration of people power behind the call for the implementation of A3509/S2479 in time for the Fall 2013 semester.

The way students and people of New Brunswick can get involved is by attending the rally in New Brunswick!

Wanna get involved? Come out to the New Brunswick Community Gathering for NJ DREAM Act:

May 29, 2013

Sacred Heart Parish, 56 Throop St, New Brunswick, NJ.

5-7 PM