Should children be punished because of the actions of their parents? That's the question at the heart of this debate. Will Albany lawmakers listen more to their constituents or their lobbyists? That's the answer that will end this debate.

City Council lawmakers and immigrant groups rallied on the steps of City Hall today calling on Albany legislators to pass the DREAM Act. The bill, along with the creation of the DREAM Fund, would provide financial aid to undocumented students looking to go to college.

The DREAM Fund would raise money entirely from private contributions. It would award college scholarships to students who graduated high school in New York, entered the United States before turning 18, and resided in the state for at least two years. Supporters want Governor Cuomo to include the legislation in the budget bill due April 1st. Do you?

Would you vote to financially support undocumented students seeking higher education? Do you think Albany lawmakers will pass the bill? Should children of illegal immigrants be denied financial assistance because of their parents' decisions?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I would wholeheartedly support the DREAM ACT this legislation will help fulfill the aspirations of responsible immigration children who are aiming to improve their lives and participate in the American dream..

Felix
Bay Ridge

It's nice that politicians are pandering to a new potential voter base by offering them a new version of 40 acres and a mule, hope they don't break their own arms patting themselves on the back. Since this is supposedly coming from private money I doubt anyone will complain, since people only care when they think it's being stolen from them. My question is what about college aid for people who actually are from here and are in need? I applied for TAP and was denied even though I worked for the city and state for almost twenty years, paid taxes in excess the whole time, and have lived in the city, state and country my entire life. Guess it comes down to the fact that if you are minority that is from here they have given up on you and you get thrown in the garbage pile, they just bring in new people to exploit until they get wise to the game too.

RL
The Bronx

No way, it should be used to the working poor us citizens children, not for workers who are off the books and not paying taxes.

Tom
richmondtown

Yes, they can take the money from the 80 million the Governor is going to save by lowering the standard of living / quality of life of the future New York workers who are citizens. Where is the train station heading out of town??

RICHARD - KENSINGTON, BROOKLYN

HI JOHN,

THIS CUOMO NEEDS TO STOP DISRESPECTING US AS THOUGH WE ARE NOTHING. I'M ALSO GETTING SICK AND TIRED OF HEARING THAT PRIVATE GROUPS WILL FUND THIS THAT AND THE OTHER THING. HE'S NEEDS TO KNOCK IT OFF WITH THE STRONG ARM TACTICS AND MAKING DECISIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND THE LOOK ON THOSE GUTLESS WONDERS FACES THAT ARE SUPPOSE TO REPRESENTING US IS LIKE THEY WERE READY FOR THE GUILLOTINE. WE HAVE NO MONEY TO KEEP FOOTING THE BILLS FOR EVERYONE'S WHIM. I THINK HE'S THE ONE DREAMING.

THANK YOU JOHN,
MAXXIEE
MP

If some private donor wants to pay then that's their issue but I don't support public funds being given to illegal immigrants.

Teri
Jackson Heights

MY SONS ARE MY DREAM. THEY ARE CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, AND THEY LOVE NEW YORK. THEIR DREAMS ARE BEING REDUCED A LITTLE BIT EACH DAY BY REWARDING NON CITIZENS AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WITH THESE FOOLISH LEGISLATURE.

THIS STATE JUST SAW A PENSION REFORM PACKAGE THAT WAS FAST FORWARDED WITH VERY LITTLE TRANSPARENCY, UNDER THE GUISE OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD ASK THE COUNCIL TO WAKE UP AND VOTE NO. MY DREAMS ARE GETTING HAMMERED ONE SON AT A TIME.

JOE, BAY TERRACE

John,

If no government money is involved, why is this idea legislation instead of the act of a private fund-raising organization?

I bet it fails to raise enough private money and then the government will step in.

Joe

I just don't know what part of ILLEGAL people don't understand?!...

Jeremy
Forest Hills

no way! First take care of the existing sons of citizens that are paying taxes . Dont reward law breakers.

Jose

I would vote yes. If they are already here, HS grads and it's coming from private funds. Our State would be worst off with a bunch of unproductive people with nothing to do but to leach off the system. They might turn out to be great resources for our City and State.

There's always a choice. There's always a chance.

Rho

The simple answer is absolutely yes. Illegal residents are already here and forcing them into low-paying jobs is not a smart business decision for the country. However, we shouldn't provide funding for anything and everything, and this should apply to citizens as well. We should fund studies in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, not useless college programs that will provide low returns on investment.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

When I was attending college, I was working & paying taxes in the meantime.

Will these same undocumented immigrants receiving financial aid be legally allowed to work in the meantime & give back to the same government that is assisting them?

Peter, queens

I feel bad for the kids who can't pursue higher education because of their immigration status. However, even if they do, they will not be able to work legally because they are undocumented. What are they going to do with their degrees? Work for cash as waiters, etc? Would not it make much more sense to figure out how to legalize them and end their undocumented status???

Bk

I agree that people should be allowed financial aid but my biggest problem with allowing the illegal immigrants this privilege is that financial aid is based on your parents income if the student is younger than 25 they qualify for free money money that citizens can get and i come from a family that was not born in the us and my parents chose to make it the right way they are legal and i can't get sponsorships like a low income person would get.

Geronimo

My name is Henry from Richmond Hill

I think the clearest message we should be sending is that if you are illegal then you should not be financially rewarded with tax payers or private money to support them staying in this country illegal. I thought it was illegal to be in this country undocumented the parents knew they were breaking the law by bringing them here in the first place. The politicians who support this dream act has a political gain for election

Yes, I think if a student who showed dedication and a desire to learn through their.grades should be given the opportunity to continue their studies. There are many legal citizens who abuse the system and dont finish school

Lorena

In my perspective, the Dream Act should be passed so that undocumented students will get financial assistance to pursue a higher education. I believe that children are the source of the future and therefore we, Americans should do whatever it takes to provide them the essential educations. Many undocumented students stop pursuing college due to their lack of financial assistance. I believe that money should not be any obstacle to one's education because we never know who will be benefited from that one's education. Not only that that but we should not overlook the history and the settlement of the United States. The United States was created by European immigrants who wanted to practice religious freedom. For that reason, there shouldn't be any exceptions in terms of who should get college financial aid or not. Last but not least, immigrants play a big role in our country. They pay sale taxes like everyone else and there are plenty of jobs in which only immigrants would do because of their diligence. We need to support anyone who wants to pursue a higher education. Our country waste lots of money on unnecessary things. Why not use that money for something productive? In conclusion I highly support the Dream Act to be passed!

Thank You
Ibrahima

If they are undocumented what good would a college education do them, if they don't have a ss# how are they going to get a job?

Beatriz

I don't believe that illegal immigrants deserve financial aid for college. Their parents work off the books and pay no taxes. I put my two sons through college and did not receive any financial aid. They should take out loans like everyone else that can't afford it.

Debbie from Flushing

The fact is, these people are here. We have the opportunity to equip them to be highly productive and create jobs, which will make us ALL better off, including legal citizens. Ignoring their existence because they entered without permission and forcing them into poverty is plain silly. It makes xenophobic sense, not business sense.

MICHAEL - BROOKLYN

John,

I would NEVER support a bill like this. An undocumented NYer is an illegal alien and that means they are a LAW BREAKER. There are plenty of American born kids and documented kids who do not have the money for a good education. Let the money go to them! I am tired of the way this country is bending over backwards giving law breakers money hand over fist. I feel like a foreigner in my own neighborhood... nobody speaks English and don't seem to care.

Kimberly
Jackson Heights

This is ridiculous. We should be spending this money on education of US citizens. The illegal children in question can go to college- in their home country where they are legal.

If we continue to reward these people for breaking the law, it will only serve as positive reinforcement.

How about simply sending cash directly to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, etc to pay for college education of children there. They could get a better education than we offer here in New York State, and it is at a fraction of the cost

Rob, Union Square

This potential legislation doesn't go nearly far enough. It is absurd that we literally hold the children of undocumented immigrants accountable for their parents actions. It is a waste of potential brain power and the resulting tax revenue that their success will undoubtedly generate. Nothing less than full citizenship for these children will suffice.

Edward

The majority of the children that come from immigrant parents are the kids that work the most in school. The government instead of getting involve in this nonsense regulation(s) they have to take care of other important topic. If it was not for all of us this country wouldn’t the people to work at farms and other hard jobs out there. give us the opportunity to have a better future!!!

Gloria

There is a group of immigrant youth who came to the United States documented!! To no fault of their own they lost their legal status but they are NOT ILLEGAL! Their parents were recruited by the Department of Education over 10 years ago and because of the long residency process they lost their legal status. They are Black, Invisible, and Documented!!

Ebony

When all "documented" NY students can get financial aid, then I'd be open to this discussion. I put myself through a CUNY college because I didn't qualify for any financial aid, even though but my native born, tax paying parents didn't give me any money for school. Daniel Dromm should step out of Jackson Heights, where a better part of the population are undocumented, work off the books, and pay no taxes. I consider myself a left leaning democrat, but this proposal would make me vote Republican.

Tom in Forest Hills

Thank you for taking on this issue. We are a nation built on immigrants, a fact that many of the callers who oppose this issue seem to conveniently forget. I guarantee many of your callers who oppose this idea are them selves the children of immigrants who did whatever it took to build a better life for them selves and their children. The undocumented young people who want to do the work it takes to become educated, productive members of our society deserve all the support they can get. To deny their dream is as un-American as it gets.

Rob in Jackson Heights

I am in favor of helping everyone attend college and would support the Dream Act. It is a complicated issue though because I still have six figure student loan debt from college and graduate school completed in 1999. I pay $1,121.57 every month with an interest rate of 8.25%. Sallie Mae says there is no way to re-negotiate the interest rate. (People ~10 years younger than me now have interest rates at 2+%.) Thank goodness I have no other debt and thus am obviously a responsible person.

While I support the Dream Act I also resent my student loan debt and that so many years later I am still living in a studio I can just almost afford. I am a born and raised American and would like a Dream Act too...

Lisa, Manhattan

Maybe we New Yorkers that have been here forever should stop paying taxes. We paid our dues! Why pay the salaries of people that put everybody else AHEAD of those they were elected to work for! The politicians in this city and state are borderline brain-dead!.

Norm
Upper East side

my name is Romario, i believe that a lot of children are forced into the country illegal, these children deserved to get an education because to many of them this is only place they know as home

The false attitude of entitlement that illegal immigrants and their political supporters have is just wrong. Why don't illegals return to their homelands and make these demands at home? Every minute an illegal immigrant is in our country makes them criminals. I have no problem with legal immigrants, they are not scamming our system. Why are citizens and legal immigrants expected to be law abiding residents, while the undocumented are pardoned and rewarded for criminal behavior? It should be unacceptable, immigration laws needs to be enforced. The rising cost of living in our current dire economic times are already a challenge for lower and middle class citizens, we should not be forced to subsidize criminals who should be deported if they cannot meet legal immigration laws and quotas. Illegal high school graduates who received free education, meals and health care courtesy of US citizens should return to their countries of citizenship and demand free education and social services. Cuny and Suny raised tuition at the end of last year, just in time to coincide with some politicians push to ratify this Dream Act. That would be an unjust travesty. Hope there is overwhelming support to block any Dream Act.

Linda

As a CUNY student born and raised in America, I SUPPORT the DREAM ACT. This is not simply for undocumented children who arrived two years ago “with a Spanish accent” as Karen from Bayside states, I have peers who are NOT Hispanic and are UNDOCUMENTED who are fighting for this to pass. This is also for students who arrived at one, two, and three years of age, were raised as Americans, went to American schools and are refused the right to receive financial aid for an AMERICAN higher education.

Melanie M- UPPER EAST SIDE

I would vote yes. I understand parents that have sacrificed and put their students through college. However, claiming that these students or their parents should just a job to finance college is ignorant to their situation. The truth is that their status prevents them from securing gainful employment. Therefore, they are unable to supplement their education with a part time job and their parents are unable to make those sacrifices to put their students through college. Most are barely making it through because of their immigration status. These students deserve the same chances that N.Y. residents do.

Vivianna from Queens

You all must remember Help All children and off course I would like to remind you that Einstein came here from Germany for a better life because he knew that he would be able to live the American dream of being a good human being. I don't think you would want a genius to be born and for him to fall in the wrong hands can i Remind you that during war world 2 its because we had the smartest minds on our side if we don't attract them our future generations be become overrun or even out tech-ed its the competitiveness that drives us we should all compete and work hard for aid after high school and those with a citizenship should have a discount.

Hadrian

In order for our country to compete against emerging market economies we need to have an educated population regardless of immigration status. That being said "financial assistance" doesn't automatically mean someone will get a free ride. Usually it's a package of student loans of varying terms. Let immigrants get loaded in student loans like the rest of us. Sallie Mae doesn't care who borrows, it's just more dollar signs for them.

Tate

Is it a child's fault that his/her parents decided to bring them to a country nicknamed "The land of many opportunities?" People believe that this act will make life for illegal immigrants and their children so much easier, when they hardly know the true struggles they have had to endure. Some of these families, face poverty, racial discrimination and other problems yet you want to add to that and discourage them to pursue an education by stopping this act from passing.

Yani

Please pass the Dream Act.

Education should not be limited to citizens. Why do American colleges recruit students from other countries and these students end up coming to the U.S. with visas and then they skip college and perpetrate fraud, disappear into the woodwork and don't go to classes and no one complains or is worried about that. But....here in the Northeast, we have hard working undocumented workers who are qualified to study but can't just because they don't have visas or documentation to live here. I meet workers every day who are very intelligent, skilled, and enthusiastic about life. My manicurist speaks Spanish as her first language and I am pretty sure she is here undocumented however she has the intellect and character to become a doctor or nurse. Why should anyone limit the enthusiasm of another person - let people who dream, dream and get to where they want to go. Don't hold back people who have the right intentions. Do not oppress those who need assistance. We are a country of liberty and hope - keep hope alive and promote education for all who want it.

Please pass the DREAM ACT and by the way, undocumented young people pay taxes too. Every time someone purchases something, they pay taxes on that item. They do pay taxes just like the rest of us.

Thanks again NY 1 for this important discussion.

Sincerely, Nora in Turtle Bay

Please tell me what other country in this world can I go to illegally, qualify for school,and then have my financial aid provided in order for me to attend as well as obtain a free higher education?

Joan

I would approve the Dream. Very bright students would have a chance to study and if it helps the progress of our society I will go for it.

Anonymous

Is amazingly ignorance that people believe that if these kids are not offer an opportunity to become useful citizens that this will open the doors for their kids. I approve to help these kids financially, thought being in this country illegally is not correct, no providing an opportunity to these kids to become better citizen and have an education is idiotic. To the Mom that thinks that stopping these kids from having opportunities for education will stop her or decrease her kids opportunity for financial aid is ignorant since each individual accomplishment is based on the choices they make and what is being offered to our kids at this time would not change by helping others.

Maria
Sunnyside

I would vote NO

I agree with the caller the children of American Citizens should receive the aid. As a single mother who the system says I make "too much" for her to get free aid will have to pay student loans up the wazoooo for years to come. More aid needs to be made available for the working class so they we can pay for college for our children without feeling financially strapped. These undocumented students will qualify for aid because their parents aren't only undocumented but their income is also "undocumented" so of course they are going to qualify.

Latoya, Park Slope

As an undocumented college student and part of the Brooklyn College Dream Team, I most definitely support the Dream Act. It is unfair that young people who have the yearning to become someone in this world and give back to this country who we are all very thankful for are being forced to drop their dreams because they are being deprived from some financial assistance. We have worked very hard to have such high GPA's to only see our hard work washed down the drain because we cannot afford full tuition even at a SUNY. Also many citizens have so many opportunities to go to college and qualify for the hundreds of scholarships and they simply do not take advantage. Perhaps this country would be a different place if we had more knowledgable people shaping our politics!

Sarah, Upper West Side

Bravo Karen from bayside. This is rewarding people who broke the law. Why am I saving for my kids education

"No" if you are illegal you have to find your own ways, means, and money to go to college. You are undocumented and you can't work. I'm a U.S citizen and they're not giving me any money. We don't have the money.

Denise - Brooklyn

For all of those who are calling in and demanding that "their" children deserve government funds for schooling over illegal immigrants' children make me laugh. Unless you are a NATIVE AMERICAN, your family migrated to this country at some point too. Everyone opposed is just plain racist.

Best,
Melissa

What ever happened to "what you can do for your country"? First of all, these undocumented people seeking aid are NOT kids. They are adults. Secondly,at this point in their lives, they should be spending more effort in how they can become legal & help their country, than going to college for free. How would it help this country if they become doctors with free aid, if they can not get a job legally afterwards?

Peter, queens

Providing equal education opportunities to these children is a smart business decision. You will wish there were more hard working, well-educated people on the pay rolls when you retire and need people to pay their taxes to fund your Florida resort. It's not just morally correct, it's smart business.

Frank, Sunset Park, Brooklyn

I am totally for it. If u have a student who wants to learn had has the grades why take the option to peruse higher education away from them. It can Only lead to a better more progressive society. It's beneficial to all. We need more forward thinkers.

Camie

First No human is illegal they are just undocumented. The government collects millions of dollars in taxes. So they should be eligible for financial aide. School is only free till the 12 grade? I guess teachers are doing there jobs. Past the Dream Act and make college free to everyone. We are a nation of immigrants!

Vinnie from Manhattan.

Education is the basis for any society. Illegal immigrants, as long as they are not here to commit crimes, should receive adequate education for a better future for them and the nation. It is known that low wages paid to illegal immigrants is one cause of keeping prices low in the service industry. We might as well harbor their kids, it makes no sense to not educate people in this country.

From Bernard - West Village (hi!)

they are illegal and they raised here so now they are part of our country lets give them an opportunity otherwise they gonna be here anyway.

Annie

The answer is not no helping them...Lets work on a package that open doors to all our kids... lower the income requirement of working parents by taking in consideration rent and other expenses to calculate how much help our kids need. Offer help to this illegal kids so they don't become criminals and useless citizen in our country because they are here.

Joanna
Brooklyn

Is this so-called private money a tax "write-off" for the companies or people contributing it? Not so private if yes.

Peter, queens.

If the students have high grades and work harder than regular citizens, who are we to deny them of a scholarship especially when they are ineligible to others because of their status. These children may be illegal immigrants but since when did education become illegal?

Yani from Williamsburg

Of course we wont and don't want to support undocumented students. We don't even look after our own. We shut down schools down while paying for ticker tape parades and renovate jails, force students to sit in overcrowded classrooms, force the kids who have been shut out of closed schools to go to schools with dangerous students . We don't care about our own and make our kids a priority. I don't expect them to care about children from other countries.

Tonia
Brooklyn

Lets be real! They say Americans are lazy.Americans are better prepared and can't get the chance now. This bill helps out the 1% by replacing the U.S Citizens with low wage earners non Unionized Workers!

Pete

In my opinion as skilled workers are appreciated and given jobs in United States of America like wise whether the student is legal or illegal they should be appreciated, awarded and supported, all children deserve the best. It is very important for our city and country to be responsible and help the best brains, which in return skilled people will be made here. I support financial aid should be an opportunity for all students who deserve it and need it.

Thanks and best regards.
Aarthi

Hi John,

It past due the time when we should replace the word “rights” with the words “earn it.”

Regards,
Walter
New Dorp

It is unfair to young kids who came here at an early age an can't make a future. You people who are against this bill are just turning young kids into criminals b/c they can't get jobs(legally) and can't go to school. What are they supposed to do? You people are forgetting, they came here unaware of it...

Renny

Do You wanna throw out a future Physicist to North Korea or any other crazy country so that they can Nuke Us. Are You Serious.

Adrian

No one is denying them an education. Everyone and anyone has the right to go to school. However, we should make sure that the people we are investing in, show some loyalty to our country first. They are NOT CITIZENS. We should make sure that it is done correctly. Why is it that citizens cannot afford a college education and they work and pay taxes and we are encouraging them to break the law. IT IS ILLEGAL and a SHAME

TA

I support the dream act And alot caller say send them back to their country are wrong wrong because when Christopher Columbus bring a lot slaves in this country that was wrong. Give the children their education

Paul from Jamaica

I vote YES for the dream act. This act won't give everyone financial aid just give them a chance to be able to go to school. Being eligible for financial aid is not something that should be kept away from innocent kids who have a dream. Some people are saying that the immigrants don't deserve the aid because they didn't receive any. All that means is that there are people less financially stable. They need to get off their high horse.

Jasmin, Woodhaven

I agree with the caller the children of American Citizens should receive the aid. As a single mother who the system says I make "too much" for her to get free aid will have to pay student loans up the wazoooo for years to come. More aid needs to be made available for the working class so they we can pay for college for our children without feeling financially strapped. These undocumented students will qualify for aid because their parents aren't only undocumented but their income is also "undocumented" so of course they are going to qualify.

Latoya, Park Slope

I would vote NO. When the illegal immigrants turn 18 years of age, they have the choice to become citizens. Yet they choose not. We should not pay for their college. Let a private agency fund the illegal immigrants, so when they get a degree and go back to their country like they usually do, no one will feel like fools.

Lisa, Harlem

hellooo we are united states we help other countrys, why we dont help those guys whem there is the future cuz they not gonna go away

annie

NO AID FOR EDUCATION TO UNDOCUMENTED ....working class Ametocan Children first! My undocumented NAIL TECH BRAGS HOW HE IS RICH IN HIS COUNTRY & HID FAMILY USRS AMERICAN aid.....NOOOOOO

Anonymous

Some people need a privilege check. I support the NY DREAM Act. This is a piece of legislation that is potentially beneficial to our state. I personally know some undocumented students and they are hard-working individuals, often juggling work and college. I applaud them for that because unlike us (American citizens) do not have the privilege to resources. And FYI, they do pay taxes, $630 million last year alone. They are as Americans as any American and deserve the right to an education. We have invested in these youth, so why not give them access to higher education? An educated New York benefits us greatly, because apparently there's a lack of education among some of those who oppose the NY DREAM Act. And FYI, I am a college student working daily to pay for my education. I am an American citizen yet I do not qualify for financial aid, which is sad but if I can see any student regardless of status get financial aid, I will support it 100%. Why don't you all put yourself in their shoes and let's see how long you last. We have it easy compare to the world so stop being un-American and uphold our American principles. This nation was built by immigrants yet there's no "visa line" for many undocumented immigrants to enter the U.S. They've escaped poverty, violence and worse, so where's your human conscious? It's so easily for us to criticize yet we would not last any second in their positions. Where were American citizens when they were asked to fill job positions held by undocumented immigrants in Alabama? How un-American of you to deny basic American principles. Everyone deserves an education!!

Laura
Bronx

Melanie from Brooklyn:

I don't think that this bill or grant that is being considered is fair. I'm an American citizen and I've been trying 2 get all types of financial help for my continuing education degree and here comes this subject on allowing foreigners to get their education for free with no strings attached and no questions asked??? UNREAL NEW YORK!!!

Maybe there would be support for our citizens with projects like the dream act if our own citizens had the ambition to succeed like those who know what it is to come from true poverty and a lack of spoiled excesses that has made our citizens to lazy to achieve

Francisco