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“We applaud Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the members of the New York State Assembly for their leadership in once again voting to pass the DREAM Act – legislation that will allow undocumented college students to participate in the state’s Tuition Assistance Program. We thank, as well, Governor Cuomo for his continuing support for this vitally important legislation. And we must once again call on the State Senate to act; the refusal of Senate leadership to support this legislation flies in the face of everything that New York stands for – equality, hard work, and a level playing field for all.

“Dreamers, brought to America as children, want nothing more than to continue giving back and contributing as productive, hard-working, tax-paying members of our communities. A college education will help them do just that. But now, because of partisan political gamesmanship, the DACA program is in peril and our Dreamers live in daily fear that they may lose their jobs, be forced to drop out of school or college, or even be deported.

“New York is the Empire State; we must lead the way, not blindly follow what now passes for leadership from our nation’s capital. The vast majority of Americans and New Yorkers support our Dreamers, and so do we. The Board of Regents and the State Education Department will continue to advocate for fairness and equity throughout our entire education system. It is time for the New York State Senate to join us as we seek to build a better, stronger, and more well-educated workforce. That is precisely what the Dream Act will deliver.”