New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is introducing a bill that would provide government financial aid to tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attending college.

The powerful Democrat's bill follows the Obama administration "Dream Act" initiative this week that defers deportation for young illegal immigrants and makes it easier for them to get better jobs and pay for college.

If made law in New York, Silver's measure could greatly influence the presidential debate. The state is home to a large and growing group of legal and illegal immigrants and has some of the nation's highest concentrations of public and private colleges.

Silver announced the proposal Friday.