DREAM Act Draws Fire at Senate Hearing

DREAM Act Draws Fire at Senate Hearing

By: Simon Garron-Caine, Staff Writter for the Legislative Gazette

Although a U.S. Senate filibuster blocked passage of the federal DREAM Act, aimed at providing identification documents and even citizenship to undocumented minors, similar legislation is currently sponsored in both houses of the state Legislature.

The act, which is named the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, if adopted by New York, would give qualified illegal aliens access to state identification documents, health insurance, employment programs and financial aid for higher learning.

"Undocumented youth in this great state go to school, love their families, participate in their communities and dream of bright futures," said the bill's Senate sponsor, Bill Perkins, D-Harlem. "These youth and their families deserve recognition and justice, not inequalities."

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