Dear Senator Flanagan,



As the dead line for the 2016 New York State budget gets closer and closer, we are urging you to support the NY DREAM Act this upcoming year. As the Senate Majority Leader we believe you have a crucial role in making history and allowing equal educational access to be a reality for thousands of youth across the state.



The number of immigrants on Long Island has doubled over the past couple 35 years. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute, immigrants on Long Island currently make up 18% of the population and contribute to 20% of the Long Island economy. These contributions can only be magnified if we give undocumented youth the same opportunities to receive a college education as their peers.

Furthermore, undocumented workers are taxpayers. The undocumented workforce has contributed over $1 billion dollars in New York state and local taxes, none of which they will get back in returns or social services.

The New York DREAM Act would cost the median income taxpayer 87 cents per year, a small amount to invest in the future of our community. Furthermore, the average college educated worker brings in an average of $3,900 more in local taxes than workers with a high school diploma, so the economic outcome would benefit our entire community.

We urge you to support the NY DREAM Act, so that New York can join states like Texas, New Mexico, and California, in allowing equal educational opportunity to all children.



Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Students, Parents, Educators, Workers, and Residents of New York State