Asian American Organizations Congratulate DREAM Graduates; Urge Congress to Pass DREAM Act 

Washington, D.C.—The Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) and its affiliates—the Asian American Institute (AAI) of Chicago, Ill., the Asian Law Caucus (ALC) of San Francisco, Calif. and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) of Los Angeles, Calif.—celebrate the achievements of the high school seniors who are participating today in a national DREAM Graduation ceremony to support the urgent need for the enactment of the Development Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. More than 500 undocumented immigrant students are walking in a special main event ceremony in Washington D.C., while communities across the country are holding events in solidarity. After the national ceremony, DREAM supporters from around the country will meet with their Congressional representatives to push this legislation forward. 

“This event has harnessed tremendous national support that demonstrates the urgent need to pass DREAM now,” said Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of AAJC. “The DREAM act legislation will give highly motivated undocumented students a real opportunity to succeed in this country.” 

In March 2009, a bipartisan group of Senate and House members introduced the DREAM legislation to enable undocumented students to eventually attain conditional permanent residency by meeting certain requirements, including attending a U.S. high school, proving residency and having a clean record. To complete the requirements, these students would also have to go to college or receive a two-year degree. The last time DREAM went to a floor vote in the Senate, it received 52 votes, eight votes shy of passing. 

“With its emphasis on equal opportunity for the undocumented youth in this country, DREAM functions as an important piece of comprehensive immigration reform,” said Titi Liu, executive director of ALC. “It upholds the values of fairness, equality and human dignity, which the reform initiative seeks to restore to immigrants in this country.”

DREAM will enable the estimated 65,000 undocumented high school students who graduate every year to become fully invested in the development of America, should they meet the requirements under the legislation. Studies have shown that undocumented students have the potential to provide the country with a tremendous boost in the workforce. 

“DREAM can make an overwhelmingly positive impact on both our youth and our economy,” said Stewart Kwoh, president and executive director of APALC. “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.”

Support for the passage of this legislation has been gaining momentum in communities throughout America. As of March 2009, 10 states (California, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Washington) have passed laws providing in-state tuition for undocumented students. Currently, most state laws make it unfeasible for undocumented students to afford college. Those who desire to continue their education are ineligible for scholarships and financial aid, forcing them to pay much higher out-of-state tuition fees, even if they meet the residency requirements for in-state rates.