Carrying signs and chanting slogans in both English and Spanish, community activists gathered at the Hicksville Long Island Rail Road station on Jan. 17 and beat the streets towards the Old Country Road office of Governor Andrew Cuomo to send a loud and clear message—that they want the New York DREAM Act, and they want it now.
THE DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act, a bill mired in controversy in recent years, would supply undocumented students who want to attend college with state financial aid. While Governor Cuomo has previously backed the passing of the DREAM Act, attempts to pass it in the State Senate have already failed twice in the past. The bill has faced severe opposition, most notably in the form of Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, but Cuomo has stated that he feels that 2015 will be the year that the DREAM Act finally passes and becomes law.
Francis Madi of Hempstead, a member of the Long Island DREAM Act Coalition and organizer of the march, said that despite Governor Cuomo’s Hickville office being closed due to the holiday weekend, the purpose of the event was more an act of symbolism than an attempt at confrontation.
“We decided that it was time to let Governor Cuomo know that Long Islanders, and especially undocumented students that reside on Long Island, would benefit from the NY DREAM Act and that he should add it into the state budget when he delivers his State of the State address next week,” she said. “Governor Cuomo has talked openly about his support of the DREAM Act in 2015, as well as in his victory speech when he was re-elected, and what we’re doing now is making sure that he follows through with his word.”
Madi, an undocumented immigrant herself, said that she was lucky enough to be able to attend college in this country; however, there are a great many others who crave the same opportunity, and hopefully—if the DREAM Act passes—they will finally get it.
“Fortunately, I was able to graduate from college, but there are many students that don’t have the money to go to school like I did,” she said. “They would benefit greatly for the chance to apply for financial aid, and in turn they would be able to benefit the community with an education.”
Carlos Canales of Hicksville noted that a receiving a proper schooling would be useful not just to immigrants, but to the entire country they live in as well.
“I believe that education is important for all of your young people,” she said. “That those who are undocumented through no fault of their own and who have done well in school deserve to be able to continue their education. We will all be better off for it.”
Nassau County police escorted the march, along their route, until their reached Governor Cuomo’s office. Once there, they continued their chants and cheers, determined to make people sit up and take notice. And hopefully, Madi said, come Cuomo’s State of the State address, lawmakers will indeed do just that.
“I’m very pleased that so many people came out today, especially young people…many of them undocumented themselves,” she said. “We have to make sure that this is something that is going to benefit them and others, and that this march is for everyone who wants the American dream…that’s why we’re doing this today.”
