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March 15, 2011
Contact:
Jane Yoo, NAKASEC, jyoo@nakasec.org, 202-630-4013
Olivia Park, NAKASEC, opark@nakasec.org, 213-605-1255
Let Students Dream
Los Angeles Contingent Travels to State Capitol to advocate for the California DREAM Act
Sacramento, California – Today, over 130 undocumented students and supporters walked the halls of the State Capitol visiting Assembly members to educate and advocate on the California Dream Act bills, AB 130 and AB 131.
After morning legislative visits, students and supporters participated in a press conference with Assembly Member Gil Cedillo, author of the California Dream Act bills. This was followed by a hearing was held by the Higher Education Committee. Both bills passed the committee and now will go to the Appropriations Committee.
“We traveled from LA to Sacramento to support the right to higher education for all students. Too many Korean American, Latino and immigrant students of diverse backgrounds find themselves taking a break from school or giving up on their dreams,” says Olivia Park, program associate at NAKASEC. “The heavy financial burdens they face limit their ability to learn, which in turn affects their capacity in giving back. Passing the California Dream Act will offer the benefits for these students and for our state. It’s an investment that upholds American values in our commitment to education and youth.”
The California Dream Act is currently made up of two bills. AB 130 would allow students that meet the in-state tuition requirement to apply for and receive scholarships derived from non-state funds. AB 131 would allow students that meet the in-state tuition requirements to apply for and receive financial aid at California public colleges and universities. The types of financial aid these students would be eligible for include Board of Governors Fee Waiver, Cal Grants and Institutional Student Aid. These bills would not be operative until July 1, 2012.
Pictures from today’s event can be found here: http://bit.ly/fAcS2r
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a national progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans as a part of a greater goal of building a national movement for social change. NAKASEC is based in Los Angeles and a D.C. office opened in September 2008. NAKASEC also has affiliates in Los Angeles (The Korean Resource Center) and in Chicago (The Korean American Resource & Cultural Center).
