Thread: California lawmaker fights to get Dream Act repealed

California lawmaker fights to get Dream Act repealed

By Keisha Courtney, KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News - BakersfieldNow.comPublished: Nov 17, 2011 at 5:45 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 17, 2011 at 6:43 PM PST

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, came through Bakersfield Thursday to drum up support to repeal the Dream Act singed by Gov. Jerry Brown last month.

The new legislation would give undocumented immigrants limited financial aid to go to college.

Donnelly is traveling through the Central Valley to get a petition signed that would put the repeal of the Dream Act on the 2012 ballot.

"Why is (Brown) raising taxes on us for something we don't want? That is taxation without representation," Donnelly said.

Locals stopped by the event to sign the petition to repeal the law. But supporters of the Dream Act said it's just a way for the Republican party to drum up support for upcoming elections.

"We need those young people, because they are bilingual and they are very intelligent. We need them to contribute to the economy of our country. For them to try and take something away that people have fought for for so many years, it's mean, it's hateful, and it's divisive," local activist Dolores Huerta said.

More than 500,000 signatures are required in order for voters to be able to vote for the repeal of the Dream Act on the 2012 ballot. Those at the Bakersfield rally said so far they have 303,000 signatures.

http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/134089483.html

I hope we will be able to continue our mission here at ALIPAC so we can get these folks in CA more support!

W

No amnesty or Dream Act at all

'Tea Party Patriots' walk to draw support to block Dream Act

Ed Castro, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/19/2011 04:05:05 PM PST

REDLANDS - The Redlands version of the Tea Party took to the streets on Saturday.

The `Redlands Tea Party Patriots' walked door-to-door attempting to gain support to reject the California Dream Act approved by Gov. Jerry Brown last month.

Beginning in 2013, the Dream Act will allow eligible undocumented immigrants be accepted into state public universities and will have access to the same financial aid as U.S. residents through Cal Grants, a taxpayer program that last year gave financial aid to more than 370,000 low-income students.

Dream Act students will have to meet certain requirements to be eligible, including having graduated from a California high school after attending school in the state for at least three years and providing documentation to show they are in the process of applying for citizenship.

"We will go out and collect signatures and fight the illegal alien dream act," said John Berry, organizer of this venture and one of six Tea Party Patriots he expected to take part. "We also want to introduce ourselves to people who haven't heard of us."

It was the official debut of the Redlands Tea Party Patriots, which canvassed a portion of South Redlands.

"The Democrats are traditionally very good at this," Berry said. "But we are just learning to do this stuff. There is a lot of pent up frustration out there that we are trying to tap into."

Like most followers of the tea party, Berry has grown frustrated with the immigration problems in California. The Dream Act, Berry said, does more harm than good.
"I understand the good intentions behind it," Berry said. "But the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. It is just immoral that we are rewarding people who have been engaging in illegal activities. It is a matter of fairness. It is a matter of justice. It's just unbelievable."

Berry said the local tea party will likely become more active.

"We just want to introduce ourselves to the people," Berry said. "There is a tremendous interest in the tea party. But people are not sure how to take that first step."

Berry said he had attend tea party gatherings in Mentone prior to leaving for Afghanistan and Iraq where he served for six months. He returned in October. He said interest grew during his absence.

"I had been attending meetings for taking on active duty," Berry said. "More than 200 people were at the last meeting."

http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_19374309