Referendum drive to overturn California’s Dream Act fails

Opponents of California's Dream Act have failed in a signature-gathering drive aimed at overturning the new law that will permit some undocumented immigrants to receive publicly funded college aid. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly informed supporters of the referendum drive through a written statement today that the campaign had fallen short of qualifying for the ballot. The effort garnered 447,514 signatures, not the required 504,760 valid voter signatures required to place the matter before ...

Senate OKs state college aid for undocumented

Written by Elizabeth Aguilera Undocumented immigrants in California would soon be allowed to apply for state-funded college financial aid if the governor signs a bill that has now passed both houses of the Legislature. The measure, which had won Assembly approval, cleared the Senate on Wednesday by a 22-11 vote. Several amendments must be reviewed by the Assembly before the legislation can go to Gov. Jerry Brown, who has indicated that he would sign the bill. The legislation was the ...

California Dream Act Heads to State Senate

By Ruxandra Guidi SAN DIEGO — This week, the California Dream Actbill heads to the State Senate, and if passed, it would make higher education more accessible for undocumented students. While it would allow them to apply for state financial aid, the state measure would differ from the federal Dream Act, which would clear the way for citizenship. "What it would do is allow these students who are highly motivated to pursue their education at a time that they are left with no other options," ...

Immigration bills signed amid arrests

By Carrie Ritchie 8:55 AM -- Immigration protesters released from jail Five undocumented immigrants arrested for trespassing after slipping into the governor’s office Monday have been released from Marion County jail. Jail spokesman Julio Fernandez said the six were each released on $150 cash bond. The first was released last night and the final one this morning. Uriel and Erick Gama, 20; Ana Ruiz-Toyar, 23; Guadalupe Pimentel, 18; and Sayra Perez, 19 were scheduled to appear...

Five years after the May 1 immigration marches of 2006, much has changed – and hasn’t

By Leslie Berestein Rojas Sunday marks five years since the massive immigration reform marches of May 1, 2006. It was that year, amid a wave of activism, that May 1 first became closely associated with immigration rallies. Things have changed quite a bit since, something I discussed in detail during a recent segment on KPCC’s Madeleine Brand Show. But with this year’s march coming up in two days, it’s worth revisiting the history of the May 1 marches, as well as what to expect this yea...

The President’s Actions on Immigration Will Speak Louder Than Words

By Frank Sharry Yesterday, the president met with Latino celebrities and news personalities to talk about his push for comprehensive immigration reform. This followed a similar meeting with other leaders last week, a meeting which I attended. As many have pointed out, these were not the first meetings the White House has held on immigration, and they certainly won't be the last. At our meeting, the president made it clear he is willing to use the political capital he has to make th...