Student Leaders Call on Senate to Pass DREAM Act, Applaud Assembly’s Initiative

The following statement was submitted by the SUNY Student Assembly (SUNY SA).

"The SUNY Student Assembly applauds the State Assembly for passing the "DREAM Act" early last week. If approved by the Senate and signed into law by Governor Cuomo, this legislation will benefit the thousands of SUNY students who are undocumented, many of whom were brought to the United States as infants with no say in the matter.

"The DREAM Act will allow undocumented New York students the promise of an affordable education, and greater legal protections as they pursue a future in the only country most of them have ever known as home.

"This is the fifth time the Assembly has passed a version of the DREAM Act. Each time the Senate has taken no action to move the initiative forward.

"We strongly urge the State Senate to finally take up and approve this Act so that all SUNY students can feel safe and secure on their campuses, knowing that they have equal access to all benefits provided to New Yorkers. The Student Assembly stands with our students, and the Senate should, too."

The Student Assembly of the State University of New York (SUNY SA) is the recognized student government organization representing the nearly 600,000 students of the State University of New York. Comprised of student leaders elected by their peers from across SUNY’s 64 campuses, SUNY SA empowers students throughout the state, and ensures the representation of its members on the state and national level, as well as throughout the SUNY system.