Thread: "Stop the Dream Act" stops in NW Fresno

"Stop the Dream Act" stops in NW Fresno

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

FRESNO, California (KFSN) -- Thousands of Valley voters showed up Wednesday night during a "Stop the Dream Act" statewide campaign stop in Northwest Fresno.

Organizers are trying to gather enough signatures to place a measure on next year's ballot, which would go against the Dream Act.

Governor Brown signed the controversial financial aid bill last month. The Dream Act would allow illegal immigrants attending California universities to receive state financial aid. While thousands of students could benefit from the bill, opponents say, the state can't afford it.

Luis Nava is in his third year at Fresno City College, studying mechanical engineering. Nava doesn't qualify for financial aid because of his immigration status. Instead, he relies on scholarships to get by. Nava said, "So right now it's really tough to pay for tuition, the books are expensive, the unit."

Nava says the Dream Act would open more doors for other illegal immigrants who also want to go to school and build a career. But, some California voters are trying to stop AB-131 from moving forward at all.

During a drive-through petition stop in Northwest Fresno Wednesday night, "Stop the Dream Act" proponents collected signatures in hopes of forming their own measure. In four hours, supporters say they collected an estimated 7-thousand signatures. Jim Forte drove from Clovis to put his name on the petition.

Jim Forte said, "We can't afford all this, so let's start doing something about it."

Governor Brown signed the Dream Act back in early October. Opponents say it will cost the state more than 40 million dollars, at a time when schools are undergoing cuts and tuition fees are on the rise.

Tim Donnelly, a Los Angeles area assemblyman, is the driving force behind the "Stop the Dream Act" campaign.

Donnelly said, "And, you know we've got all these people out of work, why would we create a massive new entitlement that's going to bring more people here?"

Nava said, "Education shouldn't be a crime; we should wanna study, be something, have a title and just succeed."

If this campaign does not work, AB-131 will go into effect in 2013.

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?secti ... id=8433686

Drive-Thru Helps Voters Repeal CA Dream Act

Posted: Nov 17, 2011 1:55 AM EST Updated: Nov 17, 2011 4:33 AM EST
By Nicole Garcia - email

FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -

The push to repeal part of California's Dream Act came in the form of a drive-thru in Northwest Fresno.

Many Valley voters signed a petition to stop using your tax dollars to help illegal immigrants pay for college.

The governor signed AB 131 into law last month. It lets undocumented students apply for financial aid, as long as they're going to a public university.

It would cost taxpayers around $40 million.

Petition organizers held a drive-thru signature event in Fig Garden Wednesday night. A steady stream of cars rolled through the event.

Organizers say they want to get at least 700,000 signatures statewide so the referendum makes it to the November 2012 ballot.

The author of the referendum, Assemblyman Tim Donnelly from Southern California, says he's giving voters a voice.

"I don't think it's right for the governor and the legislature to go against 90% of the people, I think that's a big mistake," said Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R) Twin Peaks.

Governor Brown calls the Dream Act an investment in the state's future.

It would help students like Ana Karen Chabez at Fresno State.

"It was hard because I only had the money to pay classes, and I have to go to my tests without the books. I had to go before and ask classmates for a book I mean like five minutes before class," said Chabez.

She's one of about 40,000 undocumented students enrolled in a California college or university.

Others think the tax dollars should be spent elsewhere.

"I think we should take care of our own people first. Nobody paid for my education. I had to work for it, so why can't other people?" said Ed Hanson, one of the first to show up at the event.

"Maybe later on when there's a budget surplus, maybe that can be talked about and brought to fruition. But right now, in this economy, I don't think this is the way to go," said Ed Williams, who signed the petition.

"It is not a solution for the people who are here. It is an open ended entitlement that invites more people to come here the most dangerous way possible, and I just don't think that's a good idea," said Assemblyman Donnelly.

If AB 131 is not repealed, it will go into effect for the 2013 school year.

Petition organizers have 90 days from when the law was passed to file the petition.

The deadline is January 6.

To find out how you can sign the petition, go to www.stopab131.com.

http://www.kmph.com/story/16061383/driv ... -dream-act