Category Archive: Announcements

Zero Dollar Commitment from State is Unacceptable! Youth Urge Speaker Silver to Pass NY Dream Act in 2012

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Announcements

May 1, 2012

by Admin

Today, Sheldon Silver and the New York State Assembly made clear their thoughts about the future of undocumented students in New York. Although undocumented immigrants in New York pay upwards of $662 million annually in taxes, the New York State Assembly decided that undocumented students are not worth even a one dollar investment from the state. While the New York State legislature passed the New York State Dream Fund, they failed to even consider the New York State Dream Act.

The difference is significant. The New York State Dream Fund is a zero dollar commitment from the state to undocumented youth whose intention is to pursue a college degree and contribute to their communities and state. With the passage of the New York Dream Fund, undocumented youth will still not have access to crucial financial relief, available to all New York residents. The New York State Dream Act would have extended state- sponsored financial aid to all students, regardless of citizenship status. Through this act, all students would have been given an equal opportunity to financial assistance.

By failing to consider the New York Dream Act, the legislature is is reaffirming an unjust law that places undocumented youth on a separate and unequal track from their peers. Although undocumented students pay taxes, work jobs and contribute to New York’s economy – the legislature still believes that undocumented students do not deserve to be treated as equals. However, there is still time in this legislative session to ensure equal access to education for everyone. We urge Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to bring the New York Dream Act for a vote in the 2012 legislative session and allow undocumented students an equal opportunity at achieving their educational goals.

The New York State Youth Leadership Council will continue to work towards the New York Dream Act.  We believe that undocumented immigrants should be given a fair opportunity at an education and a chance to contribute to society – the same opportunity given to all New York residents.  We will continue to fight so all students, undocumented or not, can have access to state financial aid and can have a fair opportunity to pursue their higher education goals.

TAKE ACTION!!

TWITTER

Sign into twitter, click this link and sign the petition with your twitter username

CALL

The NY Dream Act is currently being held in the Governmental Operations Committee in the Assembly. Please call the Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and ask him to put up the NY Dream Act (A6829/S4179) for a vote in the Assembly, then call the Chair of the Governmental Operations committee and ask him to move the NY DREAM Act through the committee. If you have more time please call every member of the committee (list is below). For more info, updates and next steps attend our General Meeting tomorrow, Wednesday May 2nd at 6:30pm at our office located on 339 lafayette St.

Sample script: “Im calling to urge that (legislators name) support the NY DREAM Act and allow undocumented students to be given an equal opportunity to the tuition assistance program, please move the NY DREAM Act to the floor for a vote ”

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver
NYC office: 212-312-1420 / Albany: 518-455-3791

Chair, Governmental Operations Committee
Steve Englebright
Albany: 518-455-4804 / District office: 631-751-3094

Governmental Operations Committee Members

Michael Benedetto
Albany: 518-455-5296 / District: 718-892-2235

Sandy Galef
Albany: 518-455-5348 / District: 914-941-1111

Deborah J Glick
Albany: 518-455-4841 / District: 212-674-5153

George S Latimer
Albany: 518-455-4897 / District: 914-777-3832

Crystal D Peoples-Stokes
Albany: 518-455-5005 / District: 716-897-9714

Michelle Schimel
Albany: 518-455-5192 / District: 516-482-6966

Robert Castelli
Albany: 518-455-5397 / District: 914-686-7335

Janet Duprey
Albany: 518-455-5943 / District: 518-562-1986

Andy Goodell
Albany: 518-455-4511 / District: 716-664-7773

Mark Johns
Albany: 518-455-5784 / District: 585-223-9130

Margaret Markey
Albany: 518-455-4755 / District: 718-651-3185

Bob Reilly
Albany: 518-455-5931 / District: 518-371-0568

Eric Stevenson
Albany: 518-455-5272 / District: 718-589-6324

For questions contact us at info@nysylc.org and do not forget that every action and call counts!

In the struggle,
The NYSYLC Team

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Claudio’s Being Deported!

Categories:

Announcements

April 23, 2012

by Admin

On March 3, Claudio was arrested after suffering from convulsions and vomiting resulting from the side-effects of his prescribed diabetes medication, Metformin. He never received medical assistance and is currently being held in Riverhead Jail in, NY. Claudo is set to be deported as early as Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

Claudio had taken his diabetes medication earlier that day and made the mistake of drinking a glass of wine with his dinner a few hours later. While waiting for his wife and 4 year old son in a Wal-Mart parking lot, Claudio started convulsing and vomiting, even urinating on himself. A person who saw this happen called the ambulance to take Claudio to the hospital, but after 30 minutes, the ambulance hadn’t come. Instead, a police officer arrived and pulled Claudio out of the car. Claudio fell to the floor and started convulsing. Rather than being taken to the hospital, the officer arrested Claudio and took him to jail.

Claudio came to the United States, from Argentina, in 1996 with the hopes of giving his children a better future. Claudio’s youngest son is only 4 years old and cries continuously due to how much he misses his dad. Claudio is also the main financial provider for his family and provides emotional support for his 3 children. Sitting in detention, Claudio wishes the ambulance had never been called. He never thought calling for medical assistance would result in him being arrested and possibly deported.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO STOP HIS DEPORTATION

1. CALL ICE
John Morton (202.732.3000)
Sample Script: “I am calling to ask that ICE stop the deportation of Claudio Molina (A# 095-472-313). Claudio is type 2 diabetic, and began suffering from convulsions. Someone called an ambulance and instead police showed up and arrested Claudio. Claudio’s only crime is calling an ambulance for help! Stop his deportation.”

2. SIGN THE PETITION
here is the link

3.SHARE THIS ACTION ALERT

Best,
The NYSYLC Team

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Walk to Albany: Undocumented Youth Reach Destination!

Categories:

Announcements

April 16, 2012

by Admin

PRESS RELEASE

Undocumented Youth Reach Destination!

150-mile walk shows determination and urgency to get New York Dream Act in 2012!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 16, 2012
Contact: Martin 949-395-3911

New York, NY. On April 17th, 2012, after walking 150 miles, fifteen undocumented youth and supporters from the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC) will arrive to Albany. This long journey was started on April 9th in an effort to gather more support from Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for the New York Dream Act (S4179/A6829). This state bill, which was introduced in March 2011 by Senator Perkins and Assemblyman Linares, would provide access to state-funded financial aid (TAP) and scholarships to qualifying undocumented youth.

This group of 15 courageous and tenacious undocumented youth and supporters walked miles and miles sharing their stories and struggles with community members and legislators along the way. This walk is our urgent call to our elected officials to pass the New York Dream Act this year. The New York Dream Act makes financial sense and economic sense. As the walker Luis Saavedra states, “I am walking because any student aspiring to higher education should have equal access to it and the NY DREAM Act is the path to take.” The New York Dream Act will build a bigger sense of community within undocumented youth that will encourage them to stay and contribute to the state economy. Most importantly, it will help New York re-establish a sense of leadership as a beacon for immigrant rights in a time when the undocumented are facing draconian, anti-immigrant measures in many other states.

WHAT: Press conference to welcome NYSYLC’s walkers from “Walk to Albany”
WHO: Undocumented youth, community leaders, and elected officials including Sen. Perkins and Assemblyman Linares
WHEN: Press conference starts at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 17th, 2012
WHERE: Steps of the State Education Building (89 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210)
WHY: Undocumented youth need the NY Dream Act to reach their academic goals and contribute to their families and communities. Our state needs the New York Dream Act in 2012!

To read more information about the walkers and their stories, see here
For media inquiries, contact Martin at 949-395-3911

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The NYSYLC is a youth led organization that seeks to improve access to higher education and creating equal opportunity for immigrant youth and children of immigrants, regardless of immigration status through leadership development, organizing and advocacy. The National Immigrant Youth Alliance (NIYA) is an undocumented youth-led network of grassroots organizations, campus-based student groups and individuals committed to achieving equality for all immigrant youth, regardless of their legal status.
Twitter @nysylc
Facebook www.facebook.com/nysylc
www.nysylc.org

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Older posts «

Immigration Flirtation
Thoughts While Coming Out
I <3 NY Dream Act
Coming Out Through Dance
Our UndocuMic Performances
Dating While Undocumented
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