The Board of Aldermen unanimously approved a resolution supporting the DREAM Act, a bill before congress that would give undocumented immigrants more access to higher education and a path to citizenship.
Welcome Project member and Somerville High School senior Gabriel Maldonado told the board at its Oct. 28 meeting that passing the resolution would send a message to the city’s youth.
“I have a desire to give back to this country,” Maldonado said, adding, “This is the only chance that I have to reach my goals.”
Alderman-at-Large Bill White noted many children who grew up in the city have few prospects after graduating high school without Social Security numbers.
“Their future is in the twilight zone,” he said. “What kind of a life does that create for these children? As elected officials, you have to say, ‘What are the impacts of that?’”
