Res. No. 498-A By Council Members Stewart, Barron, Clarke, Davis, Felder, Gerson, Seabrook and Liu Title Resolution calling upon Congress to pass legislation repealing the provisions of federal law that discourage states from providing in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants and permitting long-time resident youth with good moral character who move on to higher education to obtain permanent resident status. Body Whereas, Immigrants make infinite, valuable contributions to the culture and successes of the United States and to the City of New York; and Whereas, It is important to invest in the younger generation of immigrants in this country by providing them with the opportunity to attend educational institutions; and Whereas, Many undocumented immigrant students attend elementary and high school in the United States, but are barred from pursuing their dreams of higher education because they are not eligible for in-state tuition rates; and Whereas, A degree in higher education is a great asset not only for the individual, but for the larger community as well; and Whereas, Along with California and Texas, New York State has demonstrated its commitment to the undocumented immigrant student population by enacting legislation to provide qualified students with in-state tuition rates; and Whereas, An immigrant student of good moral standing, who obtains a certificate of graduation from a secondary school or a recognized equivalent program and has lived in the United States for at least five years deserves permanent resident status in the United States; and Whereas, Only the federal government has the ability to allow undocumented long term resident students to become permanent residents; and Whereas, In the last session of the U.S. Congress, both the DREAM Act (S. 1291) and the Student Adjustment Act (H.R. 1918) were introduced and were gaining momentum; and Whereas, These pieces of legislation would accomplish the goals set forth in this resolution; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon Congress to pass legislation repealing provisions of federal law that discourage states from providing in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants and permitting long-time resident youth with good moral character who move on to higher education to obtain permanent resident status.