PRESS RELEASE
IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND ALLIES APPLAUD NY BOARD OF REGENTS FOR SUPPORTING STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR UNDOCUMENTED YOUTH TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE CIRCULATION
Contact: Melissa at 347-488-2310 or Anayely at 917-202-4220
NEW YORK, NY – Undocumented immigrant youth, allies and community leaders will join Merryl H. Tisch, Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, and State Education Department Commissioner John B. King Jr. today in front of the New York Public Library’s 42nd street location in Manhattan to highlight yesterday’s vote by the Regents to support the extension of the state’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) to all students, regardless of immigration status. Such legislation would make it possible for the thousands of young New Yorkers who were raised in this country without legal status to attend college and fulfill their potential. Yesterday’s vote comes on the heels of the Regents’ resolution last month in support of the federal DREAM Act, which would provide a path to citizenship for young people who meet eligibility requirements such as attending college and performing military service.
The New York State Youth Leadership Council, the only undocumented youth-led organization in New York, wants to extend its gratitude and express its great pleasure to the New York State Board of Regents for introducing a tuition bill for undocumented students and making a powerful statement on equal access to education for all students in New York, regardless of their immigration status. In a time when the federal government has failed to act and states are implementing divergent policies affecting immigrants, New York must lead and take a stand. California has established that undocumented youth deserve equal opportunity by passing the California Dream Act while states like Georgia and Alabama are undermining the right to education by barring undocumented children from school.
State Legislation addressing the Board of Regents’ proposals is expected to be introduced into the Assembly and Senate in coming weeks.
What: Press Conference with State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr.; Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch; and Faith, Labor, Community, and Youth Leaders
When: Tuesday, November 15th at 10am
Where: Steps of NY Public Library: Beaux-Arts building at 455 Fifth Avenue (at 42nd Street) in Manhattan’
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For media inquiries, contact Melissa at 347-488-2310 or Anayely at 917-202-4220
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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.
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