As time passes the majority of undocumented students graduate high school and head to the next level of their education, but the majority of these students fear on applying the college of their choice. Furthermore, colleges in the United States does not allow an undocumented student to fulfill his or her hopes of continuing education. This initially leads students to give up pursuing their education to work at places that do not require a degree. In few cases, some students are given the chance to study at a college, but most students can not afford to pay the classes. (Nothing is free for the students unless they are documented in the United States . Something acquired throughout the years that the student had an opportunity to continue their studies) (I 'm lost). The government passed an act called the “Dream Act”, which allow students to apply to any college of their choice. There is a catch, the government will not give financial aid and not allowed a student to loans. This is a challenge for students because the majority of them wonder how can they for that price. Although many students apply for jobs it’s still not enough to pay for the tuition. However, students realize that it is time to make a stand and make a statement, they should be allowed to have financial aid. As of right now, students are protesting, creating a march, and doing action in their own political ways.
As time pass on, majority of undocumented student, graduate high school and head to
Approximately 200,000 to 225,000 undocumented immigrants enroll in American institutions of higher education and represent 2 percent of all students in college (Suarez-Orozco, Katsiaficas, Birchall, Alcantar, & Hernandez, 2015). Undocumented students have low rates of enrollment to programs of higher education in comparison to documented students. When undocumented students begin college, they go through struggles to adapt and assimilate to college life. As a result of feeling disconnected to the campus they attend, undocumented students may look for different options for support, such as clubs and centers offered for students. In recent years, there have been legal changes set in place to support the success of undocumented students enrolled in higher education, which include in state tuition, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities. These changes have given undocumented students more choices and access to
When I was in high school, I witnessed first had the lack of attention and help undocumented students were given when it came to receiving help with the college application process. My junior and senior year, I dedicated most of my free time to helping my classmates who were undocumented. I would assist them in their search for scholarship as well as looking over their applications and college essays.
I personally don't think that college should be free. Students who pay for their college are more motivated, hard working and independent. Many students would have poor motivation to finish school, because they can always come back. As a matter of fact students with ambitions to get university degree are learning much harder in high school than other, who thinks they don’t need an extra paper. There are many students that are so smart, and they will find the way to get money for school. With extra work and help from family students will be able to afford college tuitions. Students need to depend on themselves; otherwise every taxpayer will have to cover their education expenses. There are several reasons why
In “Undocumented students’ Access to College: The American Dream Denied,” Chavez, Soriano and Olivia (2007) have stated that millions of students who live in United States are undocumented immigrants; most of them come to U.S at a very young age. They completed their high school and achieved great academic success, some of them even got admitted by well know universities. From 2002 onwards , Assembly Bill 540 (AB 540) , authorized by the late Marco Antonio Firebaugh , allows any student who has completed three years high school, and received a high school diploma or equivalent in California, regardless of their immigration status, are legally allowed to attend colleges and universities (Chavez,Soriano and Oliverez 256).Even though they are eligible to apply and be admitted to universities, but they are not eligible to apply for federal financial aid, without the help of financial aid, it is extremely difficult for them to afford tuition. In this case, it severely limits undocumented student’s chances for upward mobility.
Undocumented students have a harder time trying to pursue a higher education; this is due to the fact that they cannot receive federal aid. College is like a safe haven for these undocumented students. Higher education gives undocumented students the opportunity to better themselves as individuals. Higher education also allows undocumented students to pursue a better life for themselves and for their family. Every year over 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school in the United States (Gray). Experts estimate that fewer than 6,500 of those undocumented students actually go on to attend college (Sheehy). One reason for why the amount is so low is because college is expensive for these undocumented students. Undocumented students are unable to achieve any of these goals, that is, unless they receive federal aid. It is sad to see undocumented students give up on their dream to attend college and get a higher education.
Being an undocumented college student can be very difficult, there are many economical and emotional barriers. College tuition doubles when you are undocumented and must be a resident of the state you’d like to attend school in. Some schools require you to be US born in other to attend the school. Fortunately, Deferred Action for Childhood
An educational reform in higher education would eliminate the many educational and occupational barriers undocumented students face today. By permitting access to undocumented students into postsecondary education and earn a degree would eliminate poverty and unemployment levels in the country. It is essential to give as many young people undocumented or not the opportunity to enroll and succeed in postsecondary education to strengthen the economy of the United States. The younger generations are the future of this country and undocumented students are not the exception. These young students also play an important part in society today and if given the opportunity to earn a professional degree will most definitely impact American society in the years to come.
If you were to ask the seniors in my class what their plans are after high school, a majority of them will tell you college. Some will attend UCs, others CSUs, and some will attend community college.Some attend community college because their legal status hinders them to attend a four year university right away, but at community colleges that is not the case. As an AB540 student living in California, going to college is already an obstacle that has had some relief, California allows undocumented students to receive state aid and loans, one form of this type of aid is the BOG fee waiver, making students in financial need to have a tuition free community college experience. Most states already
Imagine a world with an educated youth. Now imagine a parallel world where children are fighting to keep a smile on their faces, because, in truth, it is the only thing they have. In reality, this is what is happening. Youth, who have the privilege to be American citizens, are granted a very fulfilling education with a promise of a career. Children of illegal and undocumented immigrants do not have such luck. Some undocumented children in America have very promising futures and even a degree under their belts, but they cannot apply for a job because they have no proof of citizenship. A controversial topic is the matter of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education, for Alien Minors) which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain
The DREAM Act plays a big role in the nation’s effort to have the highest proportion of graduates in the world by 2020 (Miranda). Allowing this to pass would reduce the drop out rate significantly all throughout the country. 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school every year. In Luis Miranda’s Get The Facts On The Dream Act, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan has stated that passing the Dream Act will allow “these young people to live up to their fullest potential and contribute to the economic growth of our country.” It gives students the incentive to go through school and get a degree. When undocumented students are attending school, some colleges wont accept them. Knowing that, they do not have the drive or interest in pursuing a college degree. A lot of immigrants now will finish high school, get there diploma, then go find a job. Having this bill passed will change the education in the United States forever.
Imagine this, going through high school having a 3.5 GPA, a four-year scholarship and having your dream university asking you to attend their school. Sounds awesome right? What happens when all of a sudden your four-year scholarship is taken away? Especially if this was your only financial resource that would help you attend school and all because you weren’t a U.S Citizen and your only hope happens to be the Dream Act. This bill will give undocumented students the opportunity to further their education and work their way to citizenship. Not only will these kids be helped, but they would also be able to help this economy become less flat as Thomas L. Friedman the author of the World Is Flat puts it. Friedman feels that foreign countries
There are around 11.7 million illegal Mexican immigrants living in the United States. Today many of the teenagers of those immigrants are obtaining a free access to college education. [How are the illegals obtaining (getting) access to the free college?] On average a college education would cost a legal citizen going to a four-year college, which doesn’t include books, transport, and personal expenses can range from $107,000 to around $370,000. For example, there is a teenager named Indira Esparza, an illegal immigrant, graduated from University City in San Diego, California. She was able to secure a spot attending an expensive and exclusive private school, that is for the elite, with a full scholarship, $10,000 and other material. Esparza does not have to pay for books, transportation, and
The current public policy, the statues quo, is the first alternative. This policy allows undocumented students who have resided in Texas for at least 3 years, graduated from a Texas high school, and who sign an affidavit ensuring they will apply for legal status as soon as possible to attend colleges and universities in Texas while receiving state aid (“SB 1403 Bill Analysis”, 2001). This policy has benefited thousands of undocumented immigrants since it was first enacted in 2001. This policy does not reward the immigrants like many claim, but instead evens out the plaining field for children who were brought into the state and country at no fault of their own. Undocumented students who pursue higher education constitute a small group of extremely
Lawmakers need to consider that the DREAM Act will create strains and negatively affect the educational opportunities available to American citizens by adding roughly one million students to state universities and community colleges (Camarota). Supporters of the DREAM Act argue that it will significantly increase tax revenue because the amnesty recipients with a college education will earn more, causing them to pay more in taxes. However, Camarota shares that any tax benefit is in the long-term and will not help public institutions deal with the large influx of new students the Act creates in the short-term. Due to the limited spaces at institutions, United States citizens will be crowded out and that will reduce their lifetime earnings and tax payments. In addition, since the DREAM Act only requires two years of college, the undocumented immigrants will not necessarily earn a degree, not helping to increase their tax payments. Moreover, with the college dropouts so high, many illegal immigrants will not complete the required two years, so taxpayers will pay for their enrollment and financial aid without long-term benefits (Camarota).
Many of the undocumented students were brought to the United States at a very young age, not by their choice but of their parents. With great potential and willingness to succeed, many do not have the same opportunities as those of their peers. Millions of students have filed their deferred act in hope of getting an opportunity