I. Introduction: Identification and description of the issue: Undocumented Latina/o access to and experiences within higher education
a. Being one of the most controversial topics in America, immigration and illegal immigrants are constantly present in policy talk.
b. Since we have had 'illegal immigrants' in the United States, there has always been the issue of if and how to educate them.
• Whether let them enroll in K-12
• Pursue higher education
• Whether to give undocumented students in certain states in-state tuition
c. Liminal Legality: straddling between legal and illegal categories, and between inclusion and exclusion, these students' liminal status, criminalized for being undocumented, yet legitimated for their successful student
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What does the “white male” gain from passing policies that benefit illegal immigrants.
• Undocumented people are getting into school, but they are still not citizens and… (forgot my point but it was good lol) o Differential racialization o Color-blindness/ cultural racism
• Naturalization of undocumented people being considered less than in society
• Naturally criminals, less educated, lacking mental capacity to succeed in school and society
d. Intersectionality of race and immigration status (LatCrit)
• The language used in policies o Aliens, Illegals, etc.
• Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006 (maybe) o U.S. “preserving” English as its national language o no person has the right, enlightenment, or claim to have the government or any officials communicate, perform, or provide services or materials in a language other than English o English versions of documents have sole authority
1. majority of people in the U.S. that speak a language other than English speak Spanish
2. 35 million speak Spanish according to the Census Bureau
3. Facts: it is clear who the gov is trying to exclude
e. Storytelling and narratives (Americans by Heart)
• Incorporate narratives of undocumented students experiences on
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Implications for policy, practice and or future research in education
a. Undocumented Student Activism- started in response to the failure to pass the DREAM act at the federal level.
b. Federal Level DREAM Act
• Would require the government to do a complete education reform and more
c. What would happen/backlash against giving undocumented students access to federal and state financial aid
d. Federal law needs to catch up to state law
• Federal law states that undocumented students are not allowed to have a penny of the $129 billion that is distributed annually
• Nice to be admitted but that does not matter if students do not have the funds to attend
• Government needs to access and make new policies for what happens after undocumented students graduate from college (Achieving Equity for Latino Students p. 117)
1. Should not over educated waitresses, custodians, and sweatshop workers
2. Should be included in society
e. Further research needs to be conducted looking at undocumented students through the LatCrit
In his study, Gonzales sets his attention on two groups of undocumented youths: the early exiters and the college-goers. Both groups are similar in many ways; however, one group receives positive reinforcement from liable people more than the other group. Gonzales’s purpose in writing this book is to inform the reader the struggles of being an undocumented minor and/or
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
The Dream Act, or the “creation of opportunities for immigrant students and support of the U.S. economy” (www.immigrationpolicy.org).
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.
Every year thousands of undocumented students graduate from high school with uncertainty about a post-secondary education. Many of these students do not have the financial means, and are often too scared about their legal status to continue their education. This issue is extremely prevalent in the state of California, hosting 2.6 million “alien residents”, it has the largest population of undocumented immigrants (Gonzales, 2006). Immigration policies have been controversial topics in the United States for a long time. Although there is still an ongoing debate about reforming the current immigration laws, there has been progress in making post-secondary education a possibility for undocumented students. This paper will focus
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 debate over immigration has become one of the most heated arguments. Immigrants leave their home countries desperate need for food to feed their families, unemployment purposes, their poverty conditions environment, for those who are employed are tired of the below market wages, and the unequal treatment. Today they are about 11 million undocumented workers in the United States and Americans fear that because of this matter, immigrants will increase
Undocumented students are becoming a growing outrage in the United States. It has been a constant battle amongst the students, the schools, and the Government. According to collegeboard.com, statistics shows that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (collegeboard.com).After graduating high school they face legal and financial barriers to higher education. This paper will address the importance of this growing outrage and discuss the following that corresponds to it.
This paper will overview several federal and state legislations in regards to an undocumented child's rights to a public education, overview controversial laws that are trying to hinder their right to education, and conclude with the implication of these political decisions on the undocumented child.
“My parents have been keeping a secret from me” my best friend Katia told me one day during our Algebra II class. I looked at her in confusion I didn’t understand why she was so upset, or any idea what her parents would be hiding from her. Looking at her, her face ever so frustrated, she told me “I don’t have a social security, I wasn’t born here, I’m an illegal immigrant”. This was very heavy news, considering the fact that we were only sophomores in high school. I couldn’t imagine the devastation she had to face when she was told by her parents that she couldn’t do or participate in certain things because of her immigration status, that discovery of course, she told me, was very hard for her. Anxiety over deportation should not have been a constant fear for her or anyone’s high school agenda, failing a course, now this, should have been the only scary thing about being in high school. Being the child of two illegal immigrants,who had just received their United States residency, myself, I saw how much my parents struggled. Both of my parents come from underprivileged families who immigrated to the United States came from Mexico to achieve a better life as teenagers. They later met here, got married, and had me here in San Jose, where I became a first generation United States citizen. I saw the amount of time and especially money invested in obtaining their residency, something, by what I understand, a high schooler has a very limited supply of. Time
Children of undocumented immigrants are entitled to public education, because the U.S. constitution guarantees that migrant children and children born in the U.S. have equal educational opportunities. European immigrants migrated to the United States without question of their legal status, and were able to easily blend in, however, in the current time, race plays a great part in how people perceive undocumented migrants. Children are the future of our country and their education shouldn’t be determined by their parent’s legal status. I plan to use this article to explain how immigrants are treated differently than they were in the past, and how race may play a role into it.
English should not be the official language in the world. Many people that come from out of states or countries all over the world .They don’t know how to speak English, most people think right off the back that everyone is gonna know English . Most hispanics know the basic of English just like Americans know basics of spanish enough to get through a normal conversation together at the store or something . Hispanics that come from Mexico come to the U.S. to learn more English and make better money the right way for their family back in Mexico . Throughout the years that passed by they learn more English and know more about that most things are in English . A Lot of Textbooks,magazines,books,posters,signs,etc
There are emotional and legal concerns surrounding whether immigrants should learn to speak English. Domenico Maceri (2009), an award-winning author and foreign language instructor at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria California, states “I never met an immigrant in the United States who needed laws to be reminded that English is necessary to succeed” (par. 9).
Immigration laws have been a subject of debate throughout American history, especially in states such as California and Texas, where immigrant populations are high. Recently, some citizens have been questioning whether we should continue to educate the children of illegal immigrants. While this issue is steeped in emotional controversy, we must not allow divisive "us against them" rhetoric to cloud our thinking. Yes, educating undocumented immigrants costs us, but not educating them would cost us much more.