Drivers licenses for DREAMers an early win, now in-state tuition

Branstad/Reynolds must now support in-state tuition rates for “DREAMERS” as well

 Our press statement to the announcement that the Iowa DOT has reversed course and will now issue drivers licenses to young immigrants:Iowa CCI Action Fund members say that the Branstad Administration’s decision today to begin granting drivers licenses to Deferred Action immigrants is just the beginning – an early win that opens the door to more victories for immigrant rights.

“Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Department of Transportation Director Paul Trombino’s decision to reverse course and start giving drivers licenses to deferred action immigrants is a good first step that should immediately be followed up with equal support for giving in-state tuition rates to the same group of people,” said Ana Belen Mancebo, a CCI Action Fund member from Des Moines.

Last year, Rep Ako Abdul-Samad (D-Des Moines) introduced state-level DREAM Act legislation commonly called the Iowa Act.Mancebo is a naturalized citizen from Nicaragua.Iowa CCI Action Fund members’ 2013 legislative agenda may be viewed here and includes a number of policy planks related to immigrant rights and worker justice.Members have been active in the last two months opposing “voter purge” rules by Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz that specifically target Latino immigrants.On the federal level, Iowa CCI Action Fund members also support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship. 

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The federal government has instituted a program of deferred action for young people who came to states like Iowa as children, have grown up here, and who want to live and work here. It is time for Iowa to extend that dream to more students by passing the IOWA Act. This would allow children who have lived in Iowa for five years and graduated from our high schools to attend Iowa Universities by paying in-state tuition rates.Click LIKE and TWEET  if you think the license news is great and it's time to give DREAMers an affordable path to higher education.

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