History was made this weekend when California Governor Jerry Brown officially enacted the second bill in a comprehensive legislative package designed to make higher education far more attainable for those children who are currently lacking citizenship.
Specifically, Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 131 (AB 131) into law on Saturday. The bill gives undocumented students accepted by state universities (i.e., the University of California and California State University systems) the ability to apply for and secure public financial aid, including Cal Grants, starting in 2013.
In addition, AB 131 enables these students to become eligible for institutional grants and secure fee waivers within the state's community college system.
AB 131 is the second of two bills collectively referred to as the California Dream Act, a legislative package sponsored by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles).
The first bill, Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown this past summer, and gives undocumented college students the ability to apply for and secure private scholarship funds.
The enactment of the California Dream Act signified the fulfillment of a major campaign promise by Governor Brown to the Latino community, whose support he relied upon heavily in his election.
"Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking," said Brown. "The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us."
In order to qualify for any of the aforementioned benefits under AB 131, students must meet the following criteria:
- Students must graduate from a California high school and have attended school in the state for at least three years
- Students must demonstrate that they are in the process of attempting to secure legal immigration status
- Students must demonstrate that they satisfy the requisite academic standards and levels of financial need
Not surprisingly, both AB 130 and AB 131 are not widely embraced by all parties.
Specifically, opponents argue that the measures essentially encourage illegal immigration to the state, potentially taking financial aid/scholarships from otherwise law-abiding students.
Stay tuned for further updates from our Los Angeles County immigration law blog ...
Due to the continued complexity of immigration laws with respect to naturalization and the exposure to facing a denial of this petition, it is critical to speak with a legal professional who has extensive specialized knowledge and experience in immigration law.
This post was provided for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Source:
The Los Angeles Times, "Brown signs California Dream Act" Oct. 9, 2011
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