For immediate release, May 3, 2004
For further information, contact: Irlanda Hoffman (641) 844-2415
Representative Latham to cosponsor the Student Adjustment Act and give immigrant students hope

Marshalltown, IA __ Congressman Tom Latham gave hundreds of undocumented immigrant students hope for a future when he told Latinos en Acción de CCI members in an April letter that he will cosponsor the Student Adjustment Act (H.R. 1684). “We are thrilled that Rep. Latham is supporting the future of our community – our youth.” said Irlanda Hoffman, an educator with AEA 6 in Marshalltown and a Latinos en Acción de CCI member

The Student Adjustment Act (House version) and the DREAM Act (Senate version), are bills with bipartisan support that would make it easier for undocumented students to go to college by making it more affordable. Currently, the Student Adjustment Act has 129 cosponsors, including Rep. Leach and Rep. Latham. The DREAM Act in the Senate has 45 cosponsors and is supported by both Sen. Harkin and Sen. Grassley.

Recently representatives from the community organizations Latinos en Acción de CCI, Blink or Link, and Domestic Violence Alternatives met with Representative Latham to ask him to cosponsor the Student Adjustment Act. At the meeting, several students from the youth organization Blink or Link testified to the importance of this legislation for immigrant youth.

It is estimated that 50,000-65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the US each year. Upon graduation these youth cannot work legally, nor can they qualify for in-state tuition at universities because they aren’t considered residents. In his April letter sent to Latinos en Acción de CCI, Latham said he does not wish to “disadvantage those on track to obtain a higher education.” He also thanked the group for working with him on the issue and for helping him represent the people of Iowa better.

Latinos en Acción de CCI is a chapter of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, a grassroots community organization that has over 2,100 members in 95 of Iowa 99 counties. Latinos en Acción de CCI’s mission is to build leaders in the Latino community in Marshall and Tama counties and to work for a better future for the community’s young people. Members also are working on other issues of concern to the Latino community.

Back To Articles