Albany – The New York State Assembly passed the New York State Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act (A 4311) earlier today. The legislation would allow children of immigrants to apply for state scholarships and the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to help with the cost of higher education, as well as establish a private scholarship fund (the DREAM fund).

"Today, my colleagues and I voted to pass the Dream Act, once again reaffirming our chamber's commitment to the disadvantaged and hard-working undocumented community of college-going immigrants," said Assemblymember Bichotte. "Like so many others, my family immigrated to New York. When we arrived from Haiti, we were without help and struggled to make ends meet. Working several jobs, my mother fought and scraped so that my siblings and I could pursue our American Dream. But for all the disadvantages we faced, we never suffered the indignity of working, paying taxes and trying to attend college and having absolutely no financial support from the state."

To be eligible for state tuition assistance and educational opportunity programs, undocumented immigrant students must satisfy certain requirements, including attending high school in New York State for at least two years and having graduated or received a high school equivalency diploma in-state.

"The DREAM Act is in keeping with the history and spirit of our state. New York State is driven by our immigrant communities, and our commitment to them in spirit must be matched with our purse, when to do so will cost little and make such a difference in the lives of thousands of new New Yorkers," Assemblymember Bichotte stated. "I am proud to stand with the Assembly, especially Speaker Carl Heastie, Assemblymembers Francisco Moya, Deborah Glick and Guillermo Linares who all took the lead to present this bill. I will keep fighting for its passage in the State Senate so that Governor Cuomo has a bill on his desk this year."

The DREAM Act would provide immigrant youth with access to the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) and the state's educational opportunity programs, including the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) and the opportunity programs available at community colleges.

Passage of the DREAM Act into law would make New York one of six states – including California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas and Washington – to offer state financial aid to undocumented students and children of undocumented immigrants. At least 18 states allow immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at state universities and college.

To view Assemblymember Bichotte's video statement please click Here.