The Phoenix Union High School District board on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
The bill, which has languished in Congress since its introduction in 2003, would allow students who entered the country illegally as children to legalize their status and qualify for in-state tuition, financial aid and scholarships.
Though the bill's fate depends on
federal lawmakers, new board President
David Lujan said he wanted the board to
express its support of undocumented
students.
"We think that every single one of them
deserve an education," Lujan said.
Under current federal and state laws,
undocumented students must pay
out-of-state tuition.
Superintendent Raj Chopra expressed
concern over the board's resolution to
support the federal bill, though Chopra
said he believes in what the bill would
mean for students. He said he thinks it
is a matter best left to lawmakers.
In a memo to board members, Chopra said
he is worried that the resolution would
call undue attention to the district's
undocumented students.
Federal law prohibits school districts
from keeping records of students'
citizenship.
Immigrant rights groups in Arizona
recently have revived interest in the
Dream Act.
Last week, about 500 protesters carrying
signs in support of the bill marched
toward the University of Phoenix Stadium
in Glendale before the national
championship game between Ohio State and
Florida.
The protesters, who were mostly high
school and college students, said that
immigrant students deserved the same
edcational advantages as their peers.
Glendale police turned the protesters
away before they got to the stadium.
Several were cited for organizing the
march without a permit.