SUPPORT OF S.1545 (DREAM ACT) AND H.R. 1648 (STUDENT ADJUSTMENT ACT)

WHEREAS, education, including higher education, is essential to individual development and the common good; and

WHEREAS, thousands of undocumented students graduate from American high schools but are deprived, through no fault of their own, of the opportunity to secure a college education and work legally in the United States; and

WHEREAS, these undocumented students are ineligible for financial aid available to other U.S. residents and, in most states, are compelled to pay the tuition rate charged to out-of-state students; and

WHEREAS, S.1545 and H.R.1648 would provide conditional resident status to immigrant students who

• have entered the U.S. before age 16,
• have at least five years' residency in the U.S.,
• have good moral character, and
• have graduated from high school in the U.S. or obtained a U.S. GED; and

WHEREAS, S.1545 and H.R.1648 would provide such students with legal permanent residence if, within six years, they complete two years of education at a university or community college or serve two years in the U.S. military; and

WHEREAS, S.1545 and H.R.1648 would allow states to charge such students in-state tuition rates; and

WHEREAS, this legislation is endorsed by the AFL-CIO:

RESOLVED, that the AFT endorse S.1545 and H.R.1648; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT work closely with its locals and other labor and educational organizations to ensure the passage and enactment into law of the two bills and to work with the states to implement the legislation. [Executive Council, February 2005]