2008 Woodie Awards
An uncertain tomorrow
Arelis Hernandez
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
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As she lovingly rolled the cardboard where she kept her hard-earned diploma over her home's dinner table, Jacqueline - like many recent graduates - confessed she's relieved school is over. But it's not because she's ready to forget about cramming for exams, turning in 10-page assignments or showing up on time.
It's because for three-and-a-half years she lived with fear of getting deported if one of her peers were to find out and tell authorities she's an illegal immigrant. She made sure she lived under the radar.
Jacqueline, a 23-year-old December graduate, is one of thousands of students illegally in the United States finding themselves in legal limbo. This university, like many others in the country, only requires students to provide proof of residency in the admissions application.
But with more than 11 million illegal immigrants living and working in the United States - and about 16 percent of them being under 18, according to a 2005 Pew Hispanic Center study - states are rethinking higher education's admissions policies regarding legal status.
The Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act is a bill proposed in the United States Senate originally in 2001 and several times later that would remove legal responsibility from illegal immigrants brought into the country at an age when they could not give consent. It would benefit about 65,000 students, according to the Urban Institute.
"Its kind of hung up in the larger immigration debate," said Robert Suro, director of the Pew Hispanic Center. "It won't get resolved until we decide how we will proceed on comprehensive immigration reform."
Although students who are illegal immigrants can apply to this university and be admitted, determination of in-state status or financial aid is contingent on strict residency requirements. They must demonstrate through taxes and property that they live in Maryland. Barbara Gill, director of undergraduate admissions, said such students have a hard time complying with all the statutes.
"The big issue is not admission ... whether they are qualified or not," Gill said. "The obstacle is the student's ability to pay, which is dependent upon what they are charged and if they are eligible for financial aid."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Alan Davis
posted 1/31/07 @ 9:17 AM EST
Welcome to the police state. When I went to Maryland this type of xenophobic anti immigrant hysteria would have been unthinkable. But then if you smoked a joint on the mall in front of Testudo no one cared. (Continued…)
student
posted 1/31/07 @ 3:55 PM EST
I can't believe I'm reading this. When the admissions office got her letter admitting she was an illegal alien, they should have immediatley picked up the phone and called the INS to have her and her entire deported. (Continued…)
Jake
posted 1/31/07 @ 5:25 PM EST
Someone tell me... why.. just WHY is this written as a sob story?!?
Legal Student
posted 2/05/07 @ 3:26 PM EST
So tell me, you can't do what you want to do...do you know how many actual citizens can't do what they want to do (go to college) because YOU took their spot? You, who "got their act together" right as you realized you were screwed, meanwhile people who have been pushing their wholes lives don't gain acceptance here? I have no sympathy whatsoever for you. (Continued…)
meraj
posted 2/08/07 @ 9:50 AM EST
What I don't understand is why she has to be punished for the wrong doings of her parents. She is not a citizen? So what. She did what she had to get a degree and I for one am happy she pulled through with such tough forces against her. (Continued…)
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