About 50 people congregated outside of Kerckhoff Hall on Thursday calling for the approval of the second half of the California DREAM Act, currently on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk.
The rally, which coincided with Undocumented Student Week at UCLA, was hosted by IDEAS, a campus group that offers support to undocumented students.
Members of IDEAS have been calling Brown’s office all week, and phone calls were made at Thursday’s event as well, said Arlete Pichardo, a fourth-year history student and IDEAS internal representative.
AB 131 would allow undocumented students in California access to public financial aid. Brown has until Sunday to sign or veto the bill.
“We’re that close (to having the DREAM Act passed),” said fourth-year Chicana and Chicano studies student David Velasquez, while measuring a small distance between his thumb and forefinger. “It’s on (Brown’s) desk.”
AB 131’s companion bill, AB 130, has already been signed by Brown. AB 130 gives undocumented students access to privately funded scholarships.
– Compiled by Stephen Stewart and Golmah Zarinkhou