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Students from across the country staged mock graduation ceremonies to call attention to the plight of the undocumented.
By P.C. Staff and Associated Press
Published July 3, 2009
Calling the DREAM Act an important piece of comprehensive immigration reform, Asian Pacific American groups are urging Congress to pass the bill that would make it easier for undocumented students to pursue higher education.
A bipartisan group of legislators have reintroduced the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act in the House and the Senate. In 2007, a similar measure failed in the Senate.
If passed, the DREAM Act would allow undocumented students a conditional path to citizenship.
"The Japanese American community has always recognized the value of an education in creating an informed electorate, which is the fuel of our form of government and our market economy," said Floyd Mori, JACL national director. "Immigrant values are what ignites that fuel into productive energy, which the Dream Act will allow."
Depending on the state, undocumented students may or may not qualify for financial aid for their college education.
On June 23, students from across the country staged mock graduation ceremonies to call attention to the plight of about 65,000 undocumented students who graduate from high schools every year but often find that their legal status prevents them from attending college.
Students from New York, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington wore caps and gowns and marched to state buildings.
Studies have shown that undocumented students have the potential to provide the country with a boost in the workforce, according to the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC).
"The DREAM Act can make an overwhelmingly positive impact on both our youth and our economy," said Stewart Kwoh, APALC president and executive director. "Many of the estimated 1.4 million undocumented Asian Americans are students who have come to America as young children and now have hopes of becoming fully active members of society."
President Barack Obama has said his administration is committed to working with Congress to pass a comprehensive U.S. immigration reform.
He said there still are differences on how to implement changes, but said all sides agree that the current system is broken "and needs fixing."
For more information:
www.dreamact.info
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