Educators and students rallied outside the Edward Roybal Learning Center in Los Angeles Thursday in support of part two of the DREAM Act, AB 131, which would allow undocumented students to receive publicly funded financial aid such as Cal Grants. 

Governor Jerry Brown signed part one of the California Dream Act in July, permitting students who have completed a high school education to obtain private scholarships for college. However, students are now urging Brown to take the next step and sign AB 131 after he promised more controversial efforts.

“We’re still pushing forward for the second part, which would definitely help us a lot more to receive state money… money that our community, myself, my family has contributed to by paying taxes,” said Rigoberto Barboza.

Barboza is a third-year college student at Mt. Sac College, who originally intended to attend the University of California, Berkeley after graduating in the top ten percent of his class. However, his legal status denied him access to financial aid, so Barboza deferred to a community college. 

There was also a surprise visit by the man who authored the Dream Act: Assemblyman Gil Cedillo.

“Were going to lose one million workers and where are they going to come from? They’re going to come from these very young men and women," he said. "They’re going to be part of a future generation that keeps California’s economy robust. And we can’t afford to lose one.” 

The DREAM Act is estimated to cost anywhere between $22 million to $42 million, and some say it will only attract more illegal immigrants. 

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