Senator Peralta urges the State Senate to act now and pass the DREAM Act

State Senator Jose Peralta urged his colleagues in the State’s upper chamber to pass the New York State DREAM Act “and right this wrong, once and for all.” Senator Peralta, the lead sponsor of the DREAM Act in the Senate, applauded the State Assembly for again passing the legislation that would provide state college financial aid to undocumented New Yorkers. Currently, undocumented college students are ineligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP).

“I am glad the Assembly passed the bill during its session today. It is time my colleagues in the Senate Majority follow suit and let our DREAMers truly live the American Dream,” said Senator Peralta. “I encourage all Senators to rise above politics and right this wrong.”       

Implementation of the DREAM Act will cost approximately $27 million. It amounts to an average of a few cents annually for an average New York taxpayer. “Let’s remember that the average college graduate makes more money and pays more in taxes than people who did not receive a higher education degree. This is clearly an investment in our future, and one that more than pays for itself.”