Out-of-state UNC athletes and K-12 teachers could unfairly pay the price of the state budget announced last week.
The state cut funding for out-of-state scholarship athletes.
To garner attention for the act, Viridiana Martinez, UNC graduate Rosario Lopez and Loida Silva fasted for two weeks at a campsite set up in downtown Raleigh beginning June 14.
The three activists hoped Hagan would consider sponsoring the bill.
Yet Hagan all but ignored their request by stating that she is only interested in the DREAM Act as a part of comprehensive immigration reform.
The DREAM Act, first introduced in Congress in 2001, would allow undocumented immigrant students who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 to gain residency in exchange for at least two years of military service or college.
Even though some say the DREAM Act rewards those who break the law, it actually benefits many Americans as well as students, a fact that President Obama recognized in a speech last week.
Taxpayers have already invested in undocumented students’ elementary and secondary education.
By receiving a college education and residency, undocumented students would be able to acquire better-paying jobs and pay more taxes — returning taxpayers’ investments.
