But he vetoed a measure that would have allowed state universities to consider applicants’ race, gender and income to ensure diversity in their student populations.
Deciding the fate of 50 education-related bills, the governor also rejected an effort to make it more difficult to establish charter schools. But he accepted a move to improve college life for gays, lesbians and bisexual and transgender people and a measure to restrict the privatization of libraries.
None of the other proposals, however, has drawn the attention—or rancor—surrounding the California Dream Act. Most Republican legislators voted against it, and anti-illegal-immigration groups denounced it as unfair.
Brown’s signature on the bill fulfilled a campaign promise to allow high-achieving students who want to become citizens the opportunity to attend college, regardless of their immigration status.
“Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking,” Brown said in a statement. “The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us.”
Beginning in 2013, illegal immigrants accepted by state universities may receive assistance from Cal-Grants, a public program that last year provided aid to more than 370,000 low-income students.
The new law also makes students who are not legally in the country eligible for institutional grants while attending the University of California and California State University systems. And it permits them to obtain fee waivers in the community college system.
Students must graduate from a California high school after attending school in the state for at least three years and must affirm that they are applying to legalize their immigration status. They also must show financial need and meet academic standards.
The bill was by Democratic Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, who praised Brown for showing courage in signing it.
“After having invested 12 years in the high-school education of these young men and women, who are here through no fault of their own,” Cedillo said, “it’s the smartest thing for us to do to permit these students to get scholarships and be treated like every other student.”
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, said on Saturday was “a great day for California, for education and for immigrant students who have kept their end of the bargain and continue to give their best to the only nation they know as their home.”
But Republican lawmakers and conservative groups assailed Brown for approving AB 131.
“It’s morally wrong,” said GOP Assemblyman Tim Donnelly. “We have just created a new entitlement that is going to cause tens of thousands of people to come here illegally from all over the world.”
Donnelly said he plans a referendum drive to repeal the legislation and believes the issue will hurt Democrats in next year’s elections.
GOP Assemblyman Curt Hagman said Brown’s signature “absolutely sends the wrong message. It says if you violate the law, it’s OK.”
Also opposed is the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a national group pressing for a crackdown on illegal arrivals. Spokesman Kristen Williamson called the bill “a reckless use of taxpayer money” at a time when the state is broke, has raised tuition and has cut many services to legal residents.
Brown downplayed the cost to taxpayers. He said the California Department of Finance estimates 2,500 additional students will qualify for Cal-Grants as a result of the Dream Act, at a cost of $14.5 million.
The Cal-Grant program costs $1.4 billion, so about 1 percent of all Cal-Grant funds could be affected, the governor said. But the community college fee waivers and institutional grants will likely increase the price tag. A Senate committee analysis has predicted that new costs resulting from the legislation would be $40 million a year, all told.
Brown signed another bill related to undocumented students on Saturday, AB 844 by Democratic Assemblyman Ricardo Lara. It allows them to serve in student government on public campuses and receive grants, fee waivers and expenses for doing so.
(Los Angeles Times)
