Undocumented Immigrant students face a tough time in acquiring higher degrees

Undocumented Immigrants students in US denied of education

On One hand young undocumented immigrants in USA are given an opportunity to stay back for another two years and work, marking their presence to be legal and assuring them of a “deferred deportation”. On the other hand they are devoid of basic facilities like education, health care and so on.

Instances have been reported when these young immigrants who were brought by their parents to USA are denied of federal financial aid and hence they cannot continue with the kind of school they wish to.

On a panel of Latino Student Assembly it was mentioned that “Undocumented Californian students could have escaped with the passage of the DREAM ACT which would have provided a pathway to citizenship for students whose parents are illegal immigrants.”

Undocumented Immigrants express their pain of not being able to travel abroad for getting a higher degree but they fail to do so.

The disparity

These students who are undocumented immigrants face difficulty in completing their schooling, leave alone affording the fee of college education.

Journalism Professor, Felix Gutierrez says, “Unless you twin the DREAM Act with employment opportunities, it will not fulfill its potential and people will not contribute to society.”

Every year, more than 60,000 undocumented immigrant students pass out from high school in the country but most of them do not qualify for in state tuition at UNC-System universities, Carolina alone disqualifies approximately 1500 students every year.

There are Universities like Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado, which offers a subsidized tuition rates to all but the undocumented immigrants.

The efforts

There are some Institutions who have been making a conscious effort to include the undocumented immigrant students.

The eminent authors like Alejandra Rincon suggest that the focus on economic impact due to these immigrants should be kept aide while thinking about their rights. She proposes to emphasize on human dignity and equality.

The effort of a large number of educators, lawyers and policy makers is reflected in the adoption of “in state tuition” laws in 9 of the States. This law ensures the inclusion in the colleges of students who pass out from high schools. They are also provided with a financial support so that they can complete their education.

More efforts are needed to ensure that the basic rights are available to the undocumented immigrant students.