Senator Benjamin Presides Over Passage of New York State José Peralta DREAM Act

(Harlem, NY) Senator Benjamin and the Senate Majority Conference passed the José Peralta New York State DREAM Act (S.1250).  The DREAM Act will allow undocumented children, who are already students in New York State to access state aid for higher education. New York State is now the fifth state to pass the DREAM Act, making college affordable for undocumented students.  

Like the rest of our great nation, New York was, and continues to be built by immigrants. To deny our newest neighbors the tools for success is to deny our society its fullest economic and cultural reward. Every New Yorker deserves access to an education,” said Senator Benjamin.

The passage of this legislation will remove the barriers that prevent undocumented students from college saving programs by creating the Dream Fund for college scholarship opportunities. This is a step to make the American Dream possible for aspiring young dreamers.

As the child of immigrants, I was honored to have presided over the Senate for the passage of this historic legislation. Affixing my signature as I certified its passage is one of the proudest moments I have had as a legislator,” said Senator Benjamin.