May 05, 2008 12:41 am
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Every years, approximately 65,000 U.S.-raised immigrant students graduate from high school. Theses students often are brought to this country as young children.
Being undocumented citizens, they are negatively impacted by not qualifying for in-state tuition rates, state and federal grants and loans, most private scholarships and the ability to legally work their way through college.
A state or institution that offers a lower in-state tuition rate to undocumented state residents because they live in the state is in violation of the federal law, unless the lower rate is also available to residents of any state.
A solution to this dilemma was initially introduced in 2001, during the 107th Congress, in the form of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act. To qualify for immigration relief under the DREAM Act, a students must have been brought to the United States more than five years ago, when he or she was age 15 or younger, and the student must be able to demonstrate good moral character.
The latest vote on Oct. 24, resulted in a 52-44 majority of the Senate voting in favor of permitting debate on the DREAM Act. Sixty votes were needed. Four of the senators unable to vote for valid reasons were DREAM Act supporters. Both Minnesota senators, Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar, voted in favor of the DREAM Act.
In 2003, Minnesota had a 50 percent high school Latino graduation rate, compared to a 92 percent rate for white students. The handful who managed to graduate high school may be denied the opportunity to advance toward professional careers.
We have not one child, but thousands left behind.
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