Access to College for Local Immigrant Youth

Did you know that many Cambridge-Somerville immigrant high schoolers can’t go to college because they aren't eligible to pay in-state tuition rates, even though they've lived in-state for most or all their lives?

Cambridge-Somerville for Change has joined the statewide push to give our local high schoolers a fair chance at going to college by having the same access to in-state tuition rates as their peers, regardless of their documentation status. Nationally, ten other US states have passed similar legislation with wide bipartisan support. It’s embarrassing that Massachusetts lags behind New Mexico, Texas, Utah, California, New York, Illinois, Washington, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma!

Please join us to help pass Education Opportunity legislation in Massachusetts:

Wed. July 29, 2009
6:15-8:45pm
Cambridge YMCA
Central Square
820 Mass. Ave (across from City Hall)
Directions: http://www.cambridgeymca.org/directions.html
RSVP: http://www.cambridgesomervilleforchange.com

We’ll hear about the momentum of the local campaign, and strategize how we can help to push it over the finish line. We’ll also hear from local immigrant youth about the impact of this legislation (or lack thereof) on their lives.

Immigration is Number 3 on President Obama’s agenda – per his meeting with Democratic leadership on June 25th – immediately following Health Care Reform and Energy/Climate Change. Let’s leverage the community that supported President Obama to support our immigrant friends and neighbors, and help pave the way for comprehensive immigration reform in the year ahead.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Graduates of Cambridge and Somerville high schools should be able to attend state colleges (like Bunker Hill and UMASS) at the same tuition rates as their peers because:

• It's efficient public policy: Since we already invest state resources into these residents, removing barriers for high-performing K-12 students to go to college strengthens Massachusetts communities; it also raises additional revenues for the state (This is not about financial aid or scholarships. It is about charging resident tuition rates to people who are currently excluded).
• It's a matter of social justice: The majority of Cambridge-Somerville immigrants left their home countries due to global economic and political shifts – in which the US has played a part – that make it too difficult or too dangerous to remain at home. Their children are here through no fault of their own. A strong democracy does not abide by an unequal citizenry, consigning certain youth to low-pay dead-end jobs and providing opportunity for others. Yes We Can - end this unjust two-tier system.

For more information:
http://www.miracoalition.org/issues/state/higher-education
http://www.simforus.com/collegeaccess.html

PLEASE JOIN US!
Wed. July 29, 2009
6:15-8:45pm
Cambridge YMCA
Central Square
820 Mass. Ave (across from City Hall)
Directions: http://www.cambridgeymca.org/directions.html
RSVP: http://www.cambridgesomervilleforchange.com