.jpg)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Joseph Rendeiro
(202) 776-1566
jrendeiro@nclr.org
Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR, applauds signing of AB 131
Washington, D.C.—On Saturday, Oct. 9, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed the second half of the California Dream Act, offering undocumented immigrant students the opportunity to apply for state-funded financial aid. AB 131 will allow high-achieving immigrant students the chance to apply for CalGrants scholarships, enabling more young Californians to continue on to higher education. NCLR (National Council of La Raza) hails this landmark moment that many of our Affiliates worked toward diligently.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see California leading the way on improving educational opportunities for young Latinos, especially when other states like Alabama are moving in reverse with laws that actually keep children out of schools,” stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO. “There is no value in preventing some of the best and brightest students from attending college. Young minds are the greatest resources this country has, and California has chosen the right path by embracing and investing in them. I’m especially proud of the role that so many NCLR Affiliates had in making California’s Dream Act a reality.”
AB 131 is the second piece of legislation in the California Dream Act. AB 130, which was signed in July, allows undocumented immigrant students to receive private scholarships from public universities and community colleges. Several NCLR Affiliates traveled throughout the state to conduct legislative visits at the state capitol and to urge Gov. Brown to sign the legislation.
“We are also grateful that Gov. Brown has fulfilled his promise to the Latino community and signed the California Dream Act into law,” added Murguía. “He has kept the American Dream alive for so many young Californians and sent the message that if you work hard and do well in school, your opportunities are limitless.”
###