Posted on 11/30/2006 1:32:14 PM PST by truth49
SEATTLE, WA - For illegal immigrant teenagers with college ambitions, Washington state is the place to be. It's one of only 10 states that offer in-state tuition to undocumented students at public universities and colleges. In most other states, illegal teens have to pay non-resident or international rates. But even though help is available, few students are signing up. Chana Joffe-Walt reports on the barriers to an affordable education.
Francisco was the type of kid in high school who could really get in your nerves. The study body president type - uber-energetic, really hard-working and friendly to everyone:
I was involved in 12 different clubs, I did sports, plays, I did a ton of community service with every club I did...
Oh, and he had perfect grades and great SATs scores. Senior year, Francisco was any college's perfect candidate. Then something happened:
One day someone came from the University of Washington and told me that I actually was going to be able to apply to any of the schools just due to the fact that I wasn't a resident or a citizen of the United States.
Francisco's story, and others like it were the argument for a bill that became law in Washington state. The goal of House Bill 1079 is to allow students who can't afford college because they're undocumented to get in state tuition. It's been in effect for over 3 years now. But illegal immigrant teenagers are far from flooding college gates. According to a report from the Washington Higher Education Board, only 206 classified undocumented students enrolled in 1079 last fall.
So why aren't they signing up?
Students don't know, there honestly is not a whole lot of education regarding the house bill. I've just noticed that you talk to people they're like what? What's this law?
Angelita was a 1079 student herself. She says the program isn't being used because word hasn't spread. Like almost all students interviewed for this story, Angelita didn't want to give her full name because she's afraid she'll get in trouble. She's at an after-school Latino club in a Tukwilla, Washington doing her part to spread the word about the program.
How many people know about House Bill 1079? OK....
Angelita shows about a dozen juniors and seniors how to fill out a college application.
[Spanish] There are scholarships out there that don't require you to have documents.
And she's clear - you don't need documents to go to college.
Jose is a short junior sitting in the back of the room. He's an undocumented Mexican with a 3.8 GPA - he's exactly the kind of kid 1079 had in mind. But he's not sure college is for him. He says even if more undocumented students knew about 1079, they wouldn't sign up because they have to make money.
You also get a job and you see the money and you like and you want to keep getting more. Even though you know you could get a lot more if you went to go to college but you know you just live in the moment right there and you get that check every 15 days and if I go to college I'll have to give money instead of get money.
He says if he's not bringing in money, he wouldn't feel right asking his parents for help with gas, clothes and books.
Angelita responds by explaining how she paid her way through college on 12 different scholarships, without any help from her parents.
It's something that you can do. Don't think that just because you're in high school you don't have all this power. You have a lot of power.
But even Angelita has run into barriers. Having just graduated with her BA, she's in a weird sort of limbo. She's still undocumented so she can't get a college level job.
Honestly I can't really think too far into the future. Because I'm feeling like I'm reaching the end of my rope. I was only given a certain amount of rope, I didn't think I was even going to get to where I am and now I'm here and it's running out.
There is legislation pending in congress that would provide Angelita a path to citizenship. It's called the DREAM Act. But congress has been sitting on the act for years.
In the meantime, Angelita has signed up for graduate school because, she says, it's the only thing she can do.
I have taken to the policy of punching my friends when they tell me there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Although the taxpayers are paying they are still correct...
Let me help...
http://www.unam.mx/
I will send my 17 yo son to Washington to school and see if he gets in-state tuition. If not I am damn sure the ACLU will sue on his behalf. He can then get enough $$$'s to pay for a full 4 years of higher education.
That was painful to read. First person, third person. Geeze..
but, but can we get SocSec. yet?
So if someone sneaks into the state from Idaho they don't get in-state tuition...
... but if someone sneaks into the staet from Canada they do?
Cry me an illegal river.
http://www.unam.mx/
I looked and looked and could not find an English translation button on this site. You know, "Click here for English". "Press 1 to continue in English", that sort of thing.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Never mind, I found it. I wonder thoufg if I sent my son there would they teach him in English?? Could I demand it???
"But even Angelita has run into barriers. Having just graduated with her BA, she's in a weird sort of limbo. She's still undocumented so she can't get a college level job."
Priceless or rather expensive waste for the taxpayers not to mention a legal resident didn't have access to that enrollment slot.
Sickening.
No guilt for breaking our laws, only a naive quizzed look on their face as to why we have a problem with what they are doing.
Try going to Mexico and applying for free tuition to their colleges...or better yet, try getting a job building houses down there. You will be taken by the police out into the desert never to be seen again.
I'm a sucker for going through that student visa and paying 3 times in-State tuition!
If you want to go to an American university, obtain legal residency.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
http://www.unam.mx/english/
Right next to the ...... UK flag !?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
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