Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver proposes a new state version of the Dream Act, a measue to make children of undocumented immigrants eligible for state financial aid for college

A part of the Dream Act previously went nowhere in the state Senate, but Silver is hoping the chamber's new power sharing arrangement could change that

By Kenneth Lovett / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Wednesday, January 16, 2013, 7:18 PM
ALBANY — Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Wednesday proposed a state version of the Dream Act that would help make college more affordable for children of undocumented immigrants.

The bill would allow these children to qualify for state financial aid programs. It would also create a private, state-overseen scholarship fund, to be called the Dream Fund, to further assist children of parents who came to the U.S. illegally.

“Immigration status shouldn’t be a barrier for college-bound students,” Silver told the Daily News. “It’s just not acceptable to deny them access to education opportunities.”

The federal Dream Act, which would make federal college funds available to children of undocumented immigrants, has languished in Congress, in part because it includes a path to citizenship.

Silver’s proposal, projected to cost the state about $20 million per year, was hailed by immigrant advocacy groups. But critics suggest the state shouldn’t be spending taxpayer dollars to reward illegal immigration.

One prominent opponent, State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long, said he could accept private scholarships for children of the undocumented, and nothing more. “I don’t think we should be penalizing these kids who otherwise did nothing wrong, but I don’t think taxpayer money should be paying the bill,” he said.

Silver argued that children of undocumented immigrants are already making a life for themselves in New York, and could likely become naturalized citizens one day. “We should want them to be productive members of society, and we’re preparing them for that,” he said.

The concept has recently met opposition in the state Senate, but Silver hopes the bill has a chance this year because the upper chamber is now run jointly by the GOP and a breakaway coalition of five Democrats. Sen. Jeffrey Klein of the Bronx, leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, has said the issue is a top priority for him in 2013. Klein said he will put forward a Dream Act proposal that would be funded through a new licensing fee should casinos be legalized in New York.

“We need to ensure that all New York students have equal access to college tuition assistance,” Klein said.

A Senate GOP rep said the Republicans will review the Assembly bill, though concerns over cost were a roadblock in the past. As for Gov. Cuomo, a spokesman said he “supports the federal Dream Act, and will review any other proposal.”

klovett@nydailynews.com

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver proposes a new state version of the*Dream Act, a measue to make children of undocumented immigrants eligible for state financial aid for college - NY Daily News