http://will.illinois.edu/news/spotstory/undoucmented-ui-student-released-from-jail-after-georgia-protest/
My best friend, a fellow graduate student, was born and raised by a family full of ‘undocumented’ members. However, she (my friend) was born in the US. She is passionate about the rights of undocumented immigrants in the US. I am liberal, across the board, but I had a hard time backing the argument that these protesters were making. My friend and I had a serious talk about this topic, just the other day.
I would love to hear what members of our 574 class have to say about this issue. Should undocumented people be able to attend US universities? Specifically, should undocumented people have access to US resources (i.e., financial aid)?
This is definitely an issue that has taken the spotlight recently inside and outside of higher education. The past 8 years I have had a lot of experience with the undocumented population (primarily from Mexico and other Latin America countries), both on the personal level and through my volunteer work as a CASA and at a local elementary school. I see many issues that they are facing on every level…from healthcare, to work, to education, and everything else. Many of them have had to make adult decisions at a young age, or have been living their lives from a decision they made (or someone made for them) when they were younger. I myself have experience with the visa process and it is one of the most frustrating, depleting, expensive, and emotionally tolling processes I have ever and could ever face. I spent 1 week in Ciudad Juarez due to the immigration laws; one of the worst places in Mexico, and one which the U.S. has numerous travel advisories against…but the U.S. Consulate is in that border town, and that is the only place that processes certain visas.
ReplyDeleteI see it to be a systematic issue, and there are many facets to the system, and ones that are not easily fixed. Poverty, opportunity, education, greed, need, health, and so many items play a part in how the system functions, some fair, some not. Bureaucratic red tape and political positioning also play a role, both in our country and in those aiding with the visa process from the outside. It is not as simple as marrying a U.S. citizen or being accepted into a university to get a visa, it is way beyond that. In many countries, unless you have a substantial amount of money and a government job and lots of assets, your ability to secure a visa is slim. This is despite the fact that there are undocumented U.S. citizens in other countries (someone I graduated U of I with has been living in Mexico ‘undocumented’ since 2002…is that any less wrong?)
While education is not always the reason for immigration to the U.S., it is something that is greatly valued. I know undocumented children that are extremely bright and are thriving in elementary and middle school, but in Mexico (or country of origin) they would not necessarily have this opportunity, and many of them have siblings or cousins the same age that are not in school. I hope that many of these children are able to go on to institutions of higher education and given the same opportunities that are offered. In-state vs. out-of-state is a big issue with many schools following new state laws that requires out of state tuition be paid by non-residents…in many cases this is a deciding factor for students. Students do not qualify for state or federal financial aid due to lack of a social security card; only private funding is available, so this makes it even more difficult to pay out of pocket.
These issues do not have a yes/no answer. In many cases if you fix one problem with the system, another is worse. I know that it is an issue...why should “we” support “them” and issues with taxes paid (or not paid) and other financial aid…but we have many people in this country that are U.S. citizens enjoying all the freedom and rights and abusing the system—can we kick them out or take away their citizenship? Some don’t pay taxes or live off of public aid…but they are not considered criminals.
We do have to remember…just like when any other group is being discussed…everyone is unique. While the stereotype of undocumented may be Latino (and primarily Mexican) that have crossed the border illegally, this group is a lot more diverse. Just about every country is represented in this group. Many come to the country on valid visas, but they have expired. Others were brought when they were very young and did not have a decision. Others were escaping genocide and horrible crimes happening within their country, but their country may not be considered volatile to the U.S., thus no refugee visa available (I will have to think of the movie I saw at the Art Theater, great movie about this situation). I just read a story about an 80+ year old man that is undocumented…his parents were both U.S. citizens, but while serving in the army and stationed in another country, they failed to register him…he fought in 2 wars and lived his whole life here, but is considered illegal in the U.S. I am not saying that any of these are more/less illegal, but I think it is important that assumptions are not made and racial profiling is wrong; you can’t look at someone and know if they have “papers.”
ReplyDeleteI was going through old documents this weekend and found an article from 2003 that I clipped from a newspaper that was talking about the House bill 60, being passed at the time, to allow Illinois undocumented residents to pay in-state tuition. I don't think we have gone much past that and it's been ~7 years. In those 7 years, what would be the expectations for those graduating college students?
ReplyDeleteTo answer John's questions, 1) I do believe undocumented should be able to attend US universities and 2) Financial Aid is more complicated in terms of politics...but I'd like to think about the DREAM act, for example. I don't think it's fair for kids, especially for those whose parents made the decision to immigrate, to be denied the opportunity of higher education because of monetary reasons. I know of plenty of families who are tax payers and respectful citizens, just as anyone else, but they don't have the paper that gets them financial aid or any kind of financial means to attend college (such as private loans, some private scholarships).
I believe that children who are brought to this country -- since they have basically no control over their immigration status -- should be given the same opportunities for education as those born here. In my opinion, that would include financial aid, but with one very important caveat: in order to receive financial aid, I do believe the student should be required to embark on the citizenship process. After all, by the time they are an adult (college-age) the responsibility is their own. I also believe if that the US should offer amnesty for all undocumented minors who graduate high-school, again -- provided they are willing to embark on the citizenship process. As a whole, I believe our society should be far less focused on punishment for immigration status and more focused on working with those who are already here to develop legal citizenship standing. That would be to the benefit of all.
ReplyDeleteI also get frustrated by the hypocrisy of denying these children a fair chance. With the exceptions of those from Native American ancestry and those whose ancestors came here through the bonds of slavery, all the rest of us came from people who chose to immigrate to the U.S. Many Asian, Irish, Jewish and Italian immigrants that came to the US as adults did not pursue citizenship, but the children they brought with them often did. What is the difference? In my opinion: politics. The older" our country gets, the more we seek to shed our past, denying our origins. Why so ashamed, America? Raise our heads and admit that our people came here from everywhere else. Why begrudge others the same chance? Why do we presume the immigrants of today will turn out to be any less than hard-working, productive Americans if given the chance?
Dena,
ReplyDeleteYou made great points and definitely asked some questions that I continually ask and point out to others...and politics, ugh! We are the melting-pot, but I guess there are only specific ingredients that can be used.
I agree with you about allowing access and financial aid. Unfortunately, our system doesn't currently allow most undocumented students (or anyone) to work towards citizenship. Unless there is a valid petitioner (i.e. parent/child US Citizen or Spouse) or they can put themselves in deportation preceedings and provide enough evidence that they would face cruel and unusual circumstance when returning to their country (pretty much only death...most other claims are denied)...there is no way for someone to work towards citizenship at this time.
The DREAM Act would be a glimpse of hope...there are stipulations (entered before 15 years, graduate high school, working towards 2 year degree at least)...but that will provide temporary residency, then work towards citizenship.
It is unfortunate that immigration battles are political ratical's bread and water...as we see in some states like Georgia and Arizona...and actually what we are seeing in Illinois (many of my friends worry their lives will be turned upside down the next traffic stop or by racial profiling).
Let's hope immigration reform is finally on the table!
SB 2185 and SB 2266 are 2 bills on the table that those interested may want to read more about.
Blog ate my first response! In summary:
ReplyDelete1) I agree with much of what Mellisa and Dena write above. Without addressing the underlying economic issues, we will most likely never have a "solution."
2) These young adults should have the opportunity to attend school, and if that means receiving financial aid, they should receive it. There should be immigration reform so that they have the opportunity to become PRs or citizens and full members of society.
3) These students were brought in as young children and many do not know another home.
4) Having gone through the tedious process of becoming a permanent resident, I can also get why some of the "legal" immigrants oppose reform. But, not allowing these students the opportunity to get a higher education will not solve the problem, rather aggravate it.