California's landmark law to help TNTs

Illegal immigrants are now eligible to receive state financial aid to attend California universities and community colleges after Governor Jerry Brown signed the landmark legislation "Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors" (DREAM) Act. In the Filipino community, illegal immigrants are called TNTs, or "Tago nang tago." According to a report of the Los Angeles (LA) Times, Brown signed AB 131— opening public aid for the education of illegal immigrants—“to allow high-achieving students" who are not US residents to attend California universities and community colleges. In a statement issued on October 8 (US time), Brown said, “Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking." “The DREAM Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us," he said. California DREAM Starting in 2013, illegal immigrants who will be accepted into state universities can receive the "Cal-Grant assistance." In 2010, Cal-Grant provided to more than 370,000 low-income students grants averaging $4,500 each. The California Department of Finance said 2,500 students qualify for Cal Grants under AB 131. With this move, California is taking after Texas, where a state version of the DREAM Act was passed in 2001. According to a report of US News, the legislation, signed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, allows in-state tuition for “foreign-born children of illegal immigrants" who have: