Cristina Jimenez

Immigrant Students Don’t Choose to Stay Undocumented

Yesterday, the New York Times reported that undocumented high school graduates in Rhode Island can’t pursue higher education. Undocumented students have to pay out-of-state tuition, which is about three times higher than in-state tuition, and are not eligible for financial assistance—making it almost impossible for undocumented students to enroll in college.

Judah Lakin, a history teacher is trying to help his immigrant students by consulting with attorneys about their legal options to attain immigration status. According to the NYT, Mr. Lakin has become the “go-to” teacher at Hope High School after he helped one of his students get immigration status.

But this article fails to note that cases where undocumented youth attain immigration status are very rare and most undocumented youth live in fear of deportation because there are very limited legal means to get on a path to citizenship. The immigration status of immigrant youth derives from their parents. If their parents are undocumented, they cannot adjust their immigration status.

Only ten states allow undocumented youth to pay in-state tuition in public colleges. In other states, students and their allies are battling to win equal access to higher education. Conservatives opposed to such legislation argue: “What part of ‘illegal’ don’t you understand?” I respond: “What part of legal immigration don’t you understand?

Cristina Jimenez: Author Bio | Other Posts
Posted at 3:22 PM, Mar 10, 2009 in Immigration
Permalink | Email to Friend