CA DREAM Act Passes First Hurdle

By New America Media, La Opinión

SACRAMENTO -- The California DREAM Act passed the assembly's Higher Education Committee in a vote of 6 to 2, clearing its first hurdle on the way to the governor's desk. 

The measure would allow undocumented immigrants who graduate from a California high school to qualify for college scholarships and financial aid. During his campaign for governor last year, Gov. Jerry Brown promised to sign the bill into law. A similar measure was vetoed three times by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Hundreds of students from across the state testified before the state legislature in support of the California DREAM Act. Community leaders also voiced their support for the measure, including Dolores Huerta of United Farm Workers (UFW), Nativo López of the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), and representatives of the California Catholic Conference.