United States, the “land of opportunity” as many foreigners have quoted, but it is it really the land of opportunity? Or is it the land of opportunity to a select few? Being a foreigner and a long time immigrant living in the U.S, I have always wondered why is it so hard for the American society to finally accept foreigners and undocumented immigrants not only into our communities but also into the schooling system, specifically when it comes to higher education. Why can’t law abiding undocumented immigrants have access to in-state-tuition in their respectable states? They have lived here for many years, following the rules, graduating from high schools with outstanding grades, volunteered and taken part in their community. Why should these children (now young adults) who were brought into the country illegally as children be considered criminals for the choices their parents made for them. Why has the government not stepped in? Why have they been ignoring the DREAM Act and refuted the bill at the senate table for the past decade? This issue is very important to me because I have lived in the U.S for nearly twenty years now. Currently there is no and there has not been any legal reform, nor a legal mechanism for many like myself to adjust to legal status. I like many, derive legal status from my parents. If our parents are here as undocumented immigrants and brought us as young children to the states, there is no mechanism for many of us young adults to begin an immigration process. We don’t have access to in-state-tuition in the states that we grew up in even though we were raised all our lives here. Living in peace for many of us is not an option. We live in the shadows and live a different life than any other person who is considered a legal American. You would imagine that it’s easy and accessible for a lot of foreigners (Latinos/Hispanics specifically) to attend college, but have you thought about those who came into the U.S as children? Illegally? What about those who came into the U.S legally through a visa but their families decided to stay and start a new life, a better life not only for them but for their children? Unfortunately they decided to stay longer than the visa permitted them and are now considered illegal. I have always questioned why do so many states deny undocumented students the chance to be considered as in-state-residents when it comes to attending colleges and universities and applying for in-state-tuition? Like I stated before, they have lived here for many years, decades in most cases. I would like to find out why so many people are opposed to this. I would like to view different viewpoints and opinions on this topic through my research from governors, senators as well as the American population in general.
That’s a hard one. I too am an immigrant, from Canada though. I think it’s probably easier for me because my first language is English and I look like everyone else. I don’t understand why the government makes things so hard either. So, what have you had to do to get into school and get a job or even a driver’s license? I was lucky enough to come in with papers but I still have a brother in Canada that has been trying to get here for about 8 years now.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up some very interesting points in a very controversial topic. Living beneath the radar on one hand is probably very easy, yet on the other very difficult. I agree that with you that it is unfair you are unable to gain financial aid because of a decision that occurred so many years ago. I always thought the residential law pertained to all. Senora Miriam Carrasquel in the foreign language department here at Front Range is from Venezuela. She may have some resources for you to pursue. I look forward to finding out what you learn.
ReplyDelete@KarrieRandal: Schooling was never really an issue. The US has to accept foreign children into elemetary-secondary and post secondary schools by law i believe, because everyone in the US is entitled to education (k-12. The problem begins when one is in high school. Looking to apply for colleges. All my life I thought I was going to be able to attend college. I always knew my situation but at the time I didn't know that living here for almost 20 years counted as nothing. During my Junior yr in High school I realized there was no way I was going to be able to attend, not because colleges don't accept undocumented/illegal students but because they indeed do and can only accept them as long as WE pay the out-of-state tuition rate.
ReplyDelete@Karrie continued..
ReplyDeleteso here I am, I have been waiting for a reform called the DREAM ACT to be able to pass so I can attend college, have access to scholarships and financial aid. I currently don't qualify for anything not even scholarships, they have to be private in order for me to apply and get them. Having a job isn't an option either. I have worked for the past two years along with my mom cleaning houses (privately) on our own. That's how we get by. As for a driver's license, I barely got my driver's license this past Spring from Seattle, WA. One of the few states that lets undocumented individuals have a right to one regardless of status. Did i drive without a license in CO? yes i did for many years up until recently. There was no choice driving is a necesity especially for a girl who lives in the middle of no where in a farm like me and our city has no public transportation. I have been pulled over out of bad luck and gone to court. The judge was so generous. He thought i was American because at the time I was paler and like always have no accent whatsoever and had no criminal background or a bad driving history. Although in CO if you get pulled over and have no license and find out you are undocumented its almost guaranteed deportation. I was very lucky and lucky enough I was able to go all the way to Seattle and get a license that is only valid in some states but something is better than nothing. But no, currently almost all states in the country dont allow a non US legal Resident or non US citizen to obtain a license making it very hard for many of us to find jobs because the first thing they ask for is a license or an Identification and CO doesnt really accept passports. In my case ive been rejected from many places including Walmart for having a passport and not a license as an ID to just return an item.
@SMReynolds:Living beneath the radar is actually very hard not easy at all. It is very stressful emotionally and mentally. Like i said i have to watch my back out more. My family cannot call the cops in case i ever got lost , that would definately put them at risk. I cannot drive very far because my family is afraid i will get pulled over again. In the past i couldnt go to the movies because i never had an ID or go to a club or anywhere that required an ID. I also found it impossible to set up a bank account through another chain other than Wells Fargo. just things that people who have it all would not see and take for granted. Thanks for your comments !