University of Nebraska President J.B. Milliken, J.D., and other state education leaders recently urged members of the Legislature’s Education Committee to reject LB 1001, a bill that would repeal the 2006 Dream Act.
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J.B. Milliken, J.D. |
In testimony to the education committee on Monday, Milliken pointed to the “demonstrable benefits” of higher education to the state, including higher earning power, less crime and more civic engagement.
“The current law is in the best interests of the State of Nebraska,” Milliken said.
To qualify for the Dream Act, students must have:
- Lived in Nebraska for at least three years;
- Graduated from a Nebraska high school; and
- Indicated their intent to become U.S. citizens.
They must also meet the standard admission requirements of the postsecondary institutions to which they apply.
The Board of Regents adopted a policy statement in 2005 that supports the extension of resident tuition rates to certain undocumented students. Milliken also highlighted a letter opposing LB 1001 that was signed by seven statewide education leaders and delivered to education committee members.
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“At a time when our country and our state are aggressively working to raise the level of educational attainment, repealing a state law that promotes these goals is counterproductive at best,” the letter says.
Milliken also noted that because undocumented students are not eligible for most financial or state aid, they likely would not be able to afford college at all if not for the Dream Act.
In fact, without the promise of in-state tuition, some might not even complete high school, Milliken said. Already, the current dropout rate nationally for undocumented high school students is around 50 percent.