WHEN Meeting to Focus on 'Dream Act'
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The next membership meeting of WHEN! will take place on May 6 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Church, 67 East St.After the usual business reports, immigrant students from Berkshire Community College will talk about their experiences as legal immigrants.
These students will explain in some detail the "Dream Act" that is now before Congress. The act is bipartisan legislation that addresses the tragedy of young people who grew up in the Unites States, graduated from high school, but whose future is circumscribed by our current immigration laws.
The Dream Act would permit certain immigrant students to apply for temporary legal status and to eventually obtain permanent status and become eligible for U. S. citizenship if they go to college. The measure would also eliminate a federal provision that penalizes states that provide in-state tuition without regard to immigration status.
In Massachusetts, it would make BCC affordable for many more students. Advocates say the bill is significant because it could make the difference between offering hope and encouraging a higher drop out rate.
Mayor James M. Ruberto has frequently stated the importance of education for minorities and immigrants. In his 2007 inaugural address, he pledged support for education for Pittsfield’s immigrant population.
"Immigrants have always been an important part of Pittsfield and they provide the hope for the future. This pledge confirms our recognition for the need to respect and celebrate diversity in our community and in all communities," he said then.
All WHEN! members and the public are encouraged to attend the meeting; child care will be provided. For more information: www.PittsfieldWHEN.org.
