For More Information, Contact:
David Hawkins, director of public policy
(703) 299-6809
Washington, DC (March 2, 2007) – The clock is ticking for tens of thousands of high school students whose immigration status—through no fault of their own—will prevent them of achieving the dream of postsecondary education, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Members of NACAC will visit more than 300 Congressional offices from March 6-7 to advocate on behalf of an array of issues, including the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act, sponsored by Representatives Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Howard Berman (D-CA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), would allow states to provide in-state tuition for qualified undocumented students. Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) is expected to file similar legislation in the Senate in the near future. Current federal immigration law has been interpreted as barring states from providing in-state tuition for postsecondary education for undocumented students.
“NACAC has long been a supporter of efforts to resolve this painful legal crisis that confronts tens of thousands of young people every year,” stated Mary Lee Hoganson, NACAC president. “For more than seven years, NACAC has asked Congress to resolve this crisis. We are encouraged that in 2007, thanks to the leadership of key committee and subcommittee chairs in the House and Senate, we might finally achieve the federal resolution we seek.”
Jon Westover, NACAC’s Government Relations Committee chair, stated, “As counselors and admission officers, NACAC members regularly encounter undocumented students who are prepared and willing to pursue higher education, but are unable to do so because of legal and financial barriers. These conditions represent a loss to the student, the college or university where they would have attended, and ultimately to American society. As established by the Supreme Court decision in Plyer v. Doe (1982), these children have broken no law and are entitled to elementary and secondary education in this country.”
About NACAC:
NACAC is an Alexandria, VA-based education association of more than 9,800 secondary school counselors, independent counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, and organizations that work with students as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The association is committed to maintaining high standards that foster ethical and social responsibility among those involved in the transition process, as outlined in the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice.
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