As New York lawmakers head back to work in Albany with a full agenda Wednesday, some community leaders in the Hudson Valley are hopeful they will make immigration reform a top priority.
Members of the New York Immigration Coalition, along with community leaders and local lawmakers, gathered at the organization's White Plains office Monday to unveil their "Immigrant Equality Agenda" for 2015.
The three major priorities include addressing the needs of unaccompanied children, strengthening immigration and integration services and passing the DREAM Act.
The legislation would also allow undocumented college students to get state financial aid.
The New York State Senate failed to pass the Dream Act last year, but immigrant advocates and local lawmakers are determined to renew their push to get it passed this year.
Local immigration advocates are also pushing for a bill of rights for farm workers and Affordable Health Care coverage to undocumented immigrants.