Letter to the Editor: Failure to Pass NYS Dream Act is Failure Indeed

From Betsy Palmieri

On Monday evening, the New York State Senate voted 29-30 against the passage of the NYS Dream Act, a bill that would allow undocumented students to access state financial aid for college tuition. As residents of the Hudson Valley, we are tremendously disappointed by the Senate’s failure to act on behalf of the thousands of young people who are simply trying to make their college dreams a reality. These young immigrants have the drive and energy to help make New York State the powerhouse that it can be, but continue to be stymied by lack of educational opportunities. 

Despite the disappointing outcome of the Senate vote, DREAMers in New York and their supporters will not give up. As Laura Garcia, a DREAMer from Newburgh declares, “We fight for our future generations, for our future dreams, for an opportunity for an education and to make the world a better place.”

We are sincerely grateful for the support of all the Hudson Valley Democratic Senators who voted in favor of the NYS Dream Act. Their “yes” votes recognize that all of our young people deserve a chance to fully participate and contribute to our state’s economic growth and social development.

The “us” versus “them” mentality of the naysayers is a tired relic of the past. In response to one lawmaker’s comment that “we take care of our own” after voting No on the DREAM Act: How dare they imply that these young people are not “our own”? They are our own. They are our sons and daughters. 

Milan Bhatt of the Worker Justice Center of New York expressed his dismay with the Senate leadership for the timing of the vote. Says Bhatt: “Had the IDC managed the vote responsibly, we could have secured a different outcome for our hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth throughout New York. The fight, however, is not over. We strongly urge Governor Cuomo to include the measure in this year's state budget to ensure all students are afforded equal access to higher education and the opportunity to contribute to our economy.

” As Tamadani, a Hudson Valley DREAMer from Malawi, Africa, declares, “Nothing makes us illegal, but the government makes us undocumented. We have dreamed so for too long, we need to make the Dream Act a reality in 2014!” 

Albany Catholic Worker Community; Hudson Valley Community Coalition; Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley; Neighbors Link Northern Westchester; New Sanctuary for Immigrants of the Capital Region; Rockland Immigration Coalition; Rural and Migrant Ministry; Sisters of Charity of New York; WESPAC Foundation; Westchester Hispanic Coalition; Worker Justice Center of New York