Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren commended three undocumented immigrants for testifying about the importance of passing the American Dream Act
Washington,
May 18, 2007 -
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) and Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Chairwoman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law, commended three undocumented immigrants for testifying before the subcommittee about the importance of passing the American Dream Act. Under the measure, which Congresswoman Roybal-Allard co-authored along with Congressman Howard Berman (CA-28), qualified undocumented immigrant students would be eligible for temporary legal immigration status upon high school graduation that would lead to permanent legal residency if they go to college or serve in the military. The American Dream Act would also eliminate a federal provision that discourages states from providing in-state college tuition to immigrant students who have long resided in their states. Despite meeting state residency requirements, immigrant students in certain states are charged out-of-state or international tuition rates, which can be triple the cost of in-state tuition. The three witnesses before the subcommittee recounted their personal stories growing up in the United States, excelling in school, but experiencing hardships and the risk of deportation because of their undocumented immigration status.
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The following is the full text of a statement released by Congresswoman Roybal-Allard following the May 18 hearing:
“I am pleased to join my congressional colleagues and representatives of the advocacy community in reaffirming our commitment to passage of the American Dream Act. It is critical that we continue to raise our nation’s awareness about the injustice undocumented immigrant children face as they seek to further their education and reach their full potential.
After years of working to pass this measure, we are encouraged by the inclusion of the Dream Act in larger immigration measures currently pending in the House and Senate. The inclusion of the Dream Act in these bills provides a hopeful sign that we are gaining the support needed to pass this legislation.
Tragically, each year, thousands of undocumented youth, raised and educated in this country, are unable to pursue a higher education because of their immigration status. Many of these students across the nation are forced to pay expensive out-of-state tuition, rather than the less expensive in-state tuition, essentially barring these qualified youth from attending college.
As a result, these children, who were brought to this country through no fault of their own, lose an educational opportunity to develop their talents and, in turn, our country loses the benefits of their potential contributions as educated professionals and taxpayers. It is in the best interest of these children and our country to lift the federal provisions that discourage states from allowing academically qualified immigrant youth to pay in-state tuition, and denies them a path to citizenship and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
The Dream Act strengthens our nation’s workforce and our economic security. As the next generation of educated professionals, these students will help fill our country’s critical need for professionals such as teachers, nurses, doctors, scientists and entrepreneurs. As taxpayers, they will help strengthen our nation’s economy as part of the rich mosaic of this great nation.”
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