The DREAM is REAL, Passage of S.B. 6523

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2014
Contact: WADREAMers1@gmail.com

The DREAM is REAL, Passage of S.B. 6523



After 11 years of advocacy and mobilizing by Washington State students and immigrant rights leaders, the Washington State DREAM Act known in the Senate as S.B. 6523, the "REAL Hope Act" has passed the House of Representatives with a tremendous bipartisan support of 75-22. The Washington DREAM Act Coalition (WDAC), an affiliate organization of United We Dream, the largest immigrant youth led network in the country, has been pushing these legislators and others to champion legislation that would level the playing field for all Washington students seeking to further their education.

Members from both sides of the isle worked in a bipartisan effort to invest in those who are committed to their education. The momentum in the state legislature is a powerful testament to tireless work done by groups across the state and the compelling personal stories from young people and DREAMers.

S.B.6523 allows undocumented youth in Washington State to become eligible for state financial aid at public colleges and universities, rather than being excluded from majority financial options to afford higher education.

The Immigration Policy Center stated that every year 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the United States; which only 7.5% go on to college. Yet, there is very little form of tracking these numbers and specially in knowing on how many of those students actually finish their higher education degree. 

"5 years ago, we decided to come out as Undocumented and Unafraid in the state of Washington We saw the urgency of taking action and standing for our communities. Today, DREAMers across the state have empower themselves and have made this win possible. Members from both sides of the isle have shown their commitment to our communities, and we as DREAMers will continue to work with them moving forward not only for us as students, but for the safety of our families," said Carlos Padilla, co-founder and current project coordinator of the WDAC.

ABOUT Washington DREAM Act Coalition

The Washington Dream Act Coalition (WDAC) is a grassroots youth lead movement founded by student leaders from the state of Washington in an effort to raise awareness and build support to link, aid and empower organizations, communities and individuals across the state of Washington to come together and find new ways to raise awareness on Comprehensive Immigration Reform and the Dream Act by means of grassroots organizing, alliance building and non-violent direct action and civic engagement.

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