California State Assembly Member Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) this week filed a ballot referendum with the state seeking repeal of the controversial California Dream Act.
Speaking with the Victorville Daily Press, Donnelly, who represents , called the law “fundamentally unfair” and said he believed it would cause more immigrants to attempt to enter the country illegally in search of education.
The California Dream Act, the second and final half of which was signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday, Oct. 8, will allow illegal immigrants to receive financial aid from the state for university study.
While the law states that state aid in the form of Cal Grants will be given to illegal immigrants only after grants to all qualified legal residents and/or U.S. citizens have been dispersed, Donnelly expressed doubt that the state could ensure legal students receive the grants first.
The new law is slated to take effect in 2013, and students applying for the grants must be able to show that they are working toward legal citizenship, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Times also reported that it has been estimated the bill could cost the state an additional $40 million per year.
