August 25, 2011 | 5:04 PM | By

Will the second part of the California Dream Act become law?

FILED UNDER: Health/Education, Politics/Justice, AB 130, AB 131, California Dream Act

Photo by un.sospiro/Flickr (Creative Commons)

One of two measures that make up what’s referred to as the California Dream Act was released from suspense in a state Senate committee today, and is expected to go to the Senate floor next week for a vote. But unlike AB 130, a companion bill that was recently signed into law, the bill known as AB 131 faces slimmer odds of success.

Both measures aim to make it easier for undocumented college students to pay tuition. AB 130 allowed these students access to previously unavailable privately funded scholarships. AB 131 would grant them access to publicly funded financial aid, the same kind of financial aid now available to students who are U.S. citizens and legal residents. Although undocumented students can qualify for in-state tuition if they meet state residency requirements, they are still barred from public financial aid programs, such as Cal Grants.

The opposition to the second bill is stiff, and it doesn’t necessarily fall along partisan lines. It partly involves money: In spite of amendments made to the bill, implementing AB 131 could cost anywhere between $22 million and $42 million, according to Luis Dario Quiñones, a legislative aide for Assembly member Gil Cedillo, who sponsored the bill. The blow is softened somewhat in that about $13 million of that would come from money set aside each year for low-income students whose grades qualify them for Cal Grants, Quiñones said, and the state’s finance department may conclude that an additional $10 million is already covered as well.

Still, in the current state budget climate, any expenditure is being closely scrutinized. GOP opponents of the bill have said they don’t wish to spend state funds on educating undocumented students, especially since many of these students are later hard pressed to fully utilize their degrees because they lack legal status, and thus good job prospects. Unlike the federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, neither of the California bills proposes a path to legal status.

Less expected, if not surprising, is opposition from people who describe themselves as generally leaning left, but who are worried about making the state’s already overburdened colleges and universities more competitive, as well as the financial aid options that exist for students.

The bill would apply to only to undocumented students who are eligible for in-state tuition under California law, at the moment about 30,000 students altogether, according to Cedillo’s office. The bill is expected to return the the Assembly after the Senate vote because of amendments made to make it less costly, including delaying its start date by six months if it becomes law.

If AB 131 does clear the state legislature, Gov. Jerry Brown’s office has indicated there is a good chance he could sign it.

“The Governor continues to broadly support the principles behind the Dream Act and will closely consider any legislation that reaches his desk,” Brown spokeswoman Elizabeth Ashford wrote in an email today.

  • Ke6rbt

    Stop short changing American students.  They don’t get help because they already speak English.

  • Anonymous

    Get ready for a civil war between states who harbor and abet ILLEGAL
    ALIENS and those who do not wish to dilute their society, economy, and
    education with them. When our government and officials openly defy the
    rule of law, use public funds, and put non-citizens ahead of their own
    and LEGAL IMMIGRANTS, it is time for a radical change. Revolution
    anyone?
    The people who care to learn more about the madness behind
    these kinds of issues should research the terms: WHITE GUILT and
    IDIOT COMPASSION.

  • Bigsack831

    the help is there for american citizens if they are not receiving it it’s because the ain’t looking for it

  • Dream On Good

    You guys are very misinformed individuals and should educate yourselves
    on the issue of immigration. Undocumented farm workers will never become
    unappealing because they are the only ones in the industry. Also, the
    Dream Act is not a path to citizenship. In fact, an individual would be
    subject to a conditional permanent residency status for about six years
    at which point he/she would be eligible for regular permanent residency.
    If you’re concerned about social safety net, why don’t you speak up
    against US citizens who use welfare checks to buy alcohol and drugs?
    Most Dream Act eligible students and their families pay taxes and do not
    collect social security or other benefits so there is one lie this
    author is feeding to viewers. These taxes that they also pay will be
    used to fund those grants you’re talking about. You are in no way
    funding anyone elses grants so please don’t be under the false
    impression that you are making an impact in anyone’s life. Also, it is
    not appropriate and very immature to use one specific event and blame
    the entire community for it. Let me just end this by acknowledging your concern for the increasing problems in our economy. You have two
    options. Have your taxpayer dollars fund massive deportations or number
    two, legalize those undocumented immigrants who have no criminal
    backgrounds starting with DREAMers. Keep in mind option number two would
    require each individual to pay fines, back taxes if they haven’t been
    paying taxes. Now I leave it to you to decide which one of those options
    will generate massive amounts of revenues which will go right back into
    our economy. You need to think out of the box and get out of this
    “legal” “illegal” mentality that is making you very narrow.

  • Anonymous

    ILLEGAL is the issue, despite your ridiculing rhetoric.  ILLEGALS  are not entitled to any more public assistance.  The AMERICAN CITIZEN has been more than compassionate and generous to ILLEGALS who continually abuse their welcome.

    The journey of Ten Million Deportations starts with one plane load after another.  I would rather my tax money be spent on that than continue to rape US CITIZENS and LEGAL IMMIGRANTS. 

    And then, I’ll come over your house, take your stereo, eat your dinner, and rifle your safe.  Dream On–keep on dreaming–cause you’re gonna be scrubbing toilets for the rest of your life.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5IJ2EE24V6FHFPJXWBKI2DFOFI amy

    As an American student I am OUTRAGED that illegals will now be allowed to dip into the scholarships and financial aid myself (and my friends) depend on.
    Financial aid are extremely notorious for kicking people off for the smallest reason (ex: my friend in community college was kicked off for being within 15 units of the maximum). Can you imagine how bad it is going to be when they allow illegals to dip into the already slim pocket of financial aid???
    This is a huge slap in the face to students who came here LEGALLY (like my friend from PR). She went thru the necessary steps to get a student visa and she is not eligible for aid! Why should these ILLEGALS be eligible?? Doesn’t seem fair to me.
    And why put them thru college?? When they graduate, they won’t be allowed to work anyway!! 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5IJ2EE24V6FHFPJXWBKI2DFOFI amy

    “Ain’t lookin for it”. the problem (besides your grammar) is that we ARE looking for it but now we will have to share it with illegals! 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QXTLZBRBNSCYDEOSXV2ORYX6RE Joseph

    True,these individuals pay taxes,but it is minimal. That pays for the roads and public facilities they use and litter.We end up paying more in tax money just from arresting alot of them for dui’s and putting them in jail. They use up the public schooling system and get free lunches.There is alot more,and we know it. So what does that leave left of what they contributed??After all,if they are here illegally,how are they making income and paying taxes?? Do you really think they report all the money they make? Even if we could speak up for these american citizens that abuse welfare and ebt for drugs and alchohol,who is gonna listen??? If illegals were able to do the same,they would do it too.Illegals are not that innocent. If I were to hear about our taxes being raised to have the funds to do massive deportations,i would gladly pay more. Most illegals if not all have no respect for america in the first place.Most I have seen always still wave the mexican flag like if there really is a reason to be proud. If they are so proud,then why did they come here?Why didn’t they just stay in mexico or where ever it was they came from if it was that great??Why did they come in the first place if they are not going to have respect for america?! If they really seek a better life,then they need to bow down to the american flag and fkn learn english. They have no respect for other americans and expect us to understand what they are fkn saying. And you ask how I know all this??I AM HISPANIC TOO! Im around these people all day,and most of them feel as if the government owes them something for nothing.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QXTLZBRBNSCYDEOSXV2ORYX6RE Joseph

    If brown signs,we should impeach him on the grounds of treason.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QXTLZBRBNSCYDEOSXV2ORYX6RE Joseph

    That’s impossible. Most americans have to fill out financial aid paperwork when trying to get loans for college. From there they pretty much automatically check to see if you can qualify for grants. The poorest of them all will most likely get them,its not garaunteed that anyone will get them even if you are qualified.

  • DREAM ON

    OPTION 3 — GO BACK TO MEXICO and fix your country

  • Get Real

    Isn’t illegal immigration against the Federal laws? How can taxpayer money legally be used for illegal people? Hasn’t California done enough already for these people? What next, amnesty, so they can legally take your jobs?