Senator Parker and New Senate Majority Pass Jose Peralta NYS Dream Act

(Brooklyn, NY) After years of Republican opposition and holdup, Senator Parker and the new Senate Majority Conference, under the leadership of Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, passed the Senator Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act (S.1250).  The DREAM Act will allow undocumented children - who are already students in New York State, access to state aid for higher education. New York State is now the fifth state to pass DREAM Act legislation to make college affordable for undocumented students.  

Senator Parker stated, “By passing the DREAM Act, we have opened the door to higher education for many children of our great State. This legislation will afford children of immigrants who were brought to this country by no choice of their own, access to the financial support they need to complete their education to advance their future careers. Today, we told Dreamers they have a home in New York State. As such, they deserve the basic rights to a sound education, police protection, and medical services as does every New Yorker.”  

Senator Parker concluded, “I am so proud of the leadership provided by Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins in making the DREAM Act a reality at the onset of this legislative session. Further, it warms my heart that the legislation has now been renamed The Jose Peralta New York State DREAM Act after my colleague who strongly advocated for its passage prior to his unfortunate passing. ”

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 part of the larger agenda to uplift and remove obstacles for the voiceless.

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About Senator Kevin Parker:

Senator Kevin Parker represents Brooklyn’s ethnically diverse 21st Senate District comprised of sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, Senator Parker has the honor of serving his community as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, and on the Senate Standing Committees on Finance; Rules; Alcoholism & Substance Abuse; Insurance; and Banks.