More than 4 million immigrants live in New York State. One in four New Yorkers of working age are foreign born. Immigrants are not only part of the fabric of our state, they’re part of the economic engine that propels us forward. New York should be leading the way on immigration reform, instead of lagging behind. Republicans on all levels of government, from the federal to the local, have made it their mission to stymie expanded rights for immigrants. Republicans in Washington have fought tooth and nail against common-sense immigration reform and Republicans in Albany are stalling the DREAM Act here. That is why, on Tuesday, November 4, it is critical for every registered voter who cares about New York’s legacy as a haven for immigrants and its future as an economic powerhouse, to vote for Democrats who will fight for the DREAM Act.
We ask you to vote for Governor Andrew Cuomo and Democrats on the Working Families Party ballot line (Row D). Why? Because we want to make sure the Working Families Party keeps its position on the ballot. Whether or not you’re a member of the Working Families Party, you benefit from its existence. The Working Families Party introduces important policy initiatives into the conversation and puts pressure on elected officials to keep their promises. Voting for Governor Cuomo and Democrats on the Working Families Party line will send a message that you recognize the party’s importance to New York’s political process and would like it to remain a force in public life.
The DREAM Act is not the entire package of immigration reforms we desperately need on the federal level, but it is a powerful first step towards change in New York. The DREAM Act, which would allow undocumented students to apply for financial aid for college, would be a lifeline for students in our state. If we fail to elect Governor Cuomo and Democratic lawmakers to a majority in both the Assembly and Senate, the DREAM Act will likely be blocked again.
Immigration status should not prevent students from pursuing a productive career. We need the energy and output of every bright mind in our midst. We can’t afford to let immigrant status be a barrier to success. Denying these young men and women access to educational opportunities is simply foolhardy.
Voting for Democrats on the Working Families Party line signals your support for a progressive New York, a New York that allows undocumented students to apply for financial aid; a New York that provides low-wage workers with a higher minimum wage; and a New York that ensures women are given equal pay for equal work and control over their own life choices.
On Election Day, please remember that a vote in Row D, is still a vote for Democrats, but it’s also a vote for the DREAM.
By Assemblyman Francisco Moya and Senator José Peralta
