DREAM Act Makes it to Governor's Desk and is Shot Down Again

On Sept. 30 California Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed Sen. Gilbert Cedillo's California Dream Act. Literally a dream for the thousand's of undocumented student's throughout the nation who are struggling to receive a higher education without the help from financial aid or loans. It is estimated that about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school every year.

The DREAM Act would grant those students or AB 540 students the right to apply and receive State University Grants, UC Grants, scholarships, and loan programs which are all funded by non-state monies.

CSUN is home to many of these students, in fact they have started their own group DREAM's to be Heard. Two semesters ago they along with supporters successfully pushed for Associated Student's to back the DREAM Act, as it was about to go to the governor's desk.

The students who attend a college or university are some of the hardest working students, working three to four jobs to pay for tuition on their own while taking a full load of classes. Some where brought to this country as infants with no say in deciding to immigrate to this country.

They are also some of the brightest who, despite barrier after barrier, continue to excel.

You can hear some of the stories of these AB 540 students while at a press conference in Washington D.C. as they advocated for the DREAM Act last fall to no avail.

In the face of budget cuts to California higher education institutions which leads to increases in tuition and fewer students being admitted to universities, AB 540 students will have an even tougher time gaining access to higher education.

It is because of the current budget for California universities that the governor said he refused to sign the DREAM Act.

For now AB 540 students will have to wait and plan their next attempt at passing this legislation, however this blow has left many of them disappointed and exhausted.