Ortiz-Self celebrates governor’s signing of ‘dream act’

Democratic State Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self celebrated Gov. Jay Inslee’s signing the Dream Act into law in late February.

“Washington has taken important steps over the past decade to grow our own well-trained, well-educated workforce and satisfy the demands of the business community,” Ortiz-Self said after the bill became law. “The Dream Act is another strategic move in this endeavor toward prosperity.”

The bill lets children who graduate from Washington high schools pay in-state tuition at Washington colleges and universities despite undocumented status.

“The enactment of the Dream Act does not make promises or guarantees, and it certainly does not grant anybody special rights or opportunities,” said Ortiz-Self, who won appointment to the Legislature in January. “These students, who call Washington home and whose undocumented immigration status is due to no fault of their own, will have to compete for financial aid just like everyone else.”

“The chance to get on a pathway to higher education will motivate all the students in our K-12 system—who aspire to give back to their families and their communities—to work hard and excel academically. All the money, time and effort the state has invested in their education will pay off in the form of a skilled workforce.”

“This law gives all Washington students the chance to fulfill their dreams of becoming the teachers, nurses, doctors and engineers our state needs to continue making strides toward full economic recovery.”

Ortiz-Self represents the 21st* Legislative District, including most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood, unincorporated areas northeast of Lynnwood, all of Mukilteo and part of south Everett.

* Correction, March 22, 2014: The original version of this article listed the wrong number for Ortiz-Self’s legislative district.