SR61

A Senate Resolution applauding THEDREAM.US scholarship fund and respectfully urging the United States Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform.

Whereas, The immigration laws of the United States are broken and in need of repair and the United States Congress has been unsuccessful in its attempts to enact necessary comprehensive immigration reform; and

Whereas, Many young undocumented foreign nationals reside in the United States who grew up in this country, made a life in this country, lacked the intent to violate this country’s immigration laws, and know no other country to call home; and

Whereas, Recognizing the low threat young, educated, individuals meeting certain requirements pose to this country, the United States Department of Homeland Security issued a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) memorandum urging prosecutorial discretion in deferring removal of these low-risk individuals; and

Whereas, Undocumented foreign nationals, including individuals deferred from removal under DACA, are not eligible for federal student financial aid to finance a college education; and

Whereas, The cost of a college education is increasing in the United States making it difficult, if not impossible, for many students to finance their education individually; and

Whereas, A college education is important to the competitiveness of the United States economy and the welfare and growth of all individuals; and

Whereas, THEDREAM.US scholarship fund, established by the Graham Holdings Company, assists in making college education a reality for motivated, DACA eligible, first-time college students by awarding need-based scholarships; and

Whereas, Twelve colleges and universities partnered with THEDREAM.US scholarship fund to provide college-level education to these motivated recipients; and

Whereas, THEDREAM.US scholarship fund endeavors to provide 2,000 DACA eligible individuals with the financial means to graduate from a partner college or university with an associate or a bachelor degree within the next decade; and

Whereas, More than $25 million has been raised by THEDREAM.US scholarship fund to provide greater access to college education; and

Whereas, Without THEDREAM.US scholarship fund, many DACA eligible individuals would be financially barred from attaining a college education and the many benefits it provides; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House applauds THEDREAM.US scholarship fund which takes an important step towards making college education a reality for motivated, young, undocumented foreign nationals by providing need-based scholarships.

2. This House respectfully urges the United States Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform in order to provide all persons eligible for prosecutorial discretion under the Department of Homeland Security’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals memorandum greater access to affordable college education.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, and every member of Congress from this State.

STATEMENT

This resolution applauds THEDREAM.US scholarship fund for providing a way for young, motivated, undocumented Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligible individuals to finance the high cost of a college education in order to achieve their fullest potential. This resolution also respectfully urges the United States Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform to repair this country’s broken immigration laws so that young, motivated, productive members of society may receive affordable college degrees.

Young individuals who grew up in the United States and lacked intent to violate this country’s immigration laws often have difficulty financing a college education because they are ineligible for federal student financial aid. THEDREAM.US scholarship fund raised more than $25 million and partnered with twelve colleges and universities with the goal of providing 2,000 DACA eligible individuals with the financial means to receive a college education within the next decade. By providing scholarship awards to finance college education and by partnering with colleges and universities, THEDREAM.US scholarship fund enables DACA eligible individuals the ability to obtain college degrees and enhance their career opportunities.