Thursday, March 4, 2010

Illegal Students in the United States

I was looking around on the web and I found the following article:

"LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP)--A student touted as a success by Lexington Community College in its campaign to attract more Hispanic students now says he is stuck in limbo.

Jorge Ivan Garcia who graduated from LCC in May, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he is in danger of not being able to move on to the University of Kentucky to continue his education because he is an undocumented immigrant.

Garcia met recently with Dr. Philip Greasley, UK's dean of university extension, to see whether he could still get some financial assistance. Garcia said he has no money to pay the $3,011 fall semester tuition.

Undocumented students can't receive federally funded student loans. And Garcia said he received no academic scholarships because LCC officials didn't give him enough guidance so he would know how and When to apply.

"LCC opens the door for a college education," Garcia said. "But it all stops there. There should be some transitional help."

LCC officials say they did their best for Garcia while he studied there. LCC officials say President Jim Kerley helped secure money for Garcia's LCC tuition and called UK officials on his behalf once he graduated.

"We've gone to very great lengths to help Jorge," said Anthony Hartsfield, LCC's director of multicoltural affairs. Hartsfield said he made it clear to Garcia that once he entered UK, his lack of documentation would prevent him from obtaining a federal student loan, and that Garcia would be responsible for securing his own tuition.

UK officials said they would do all they can to help Garcia. The university also hopes to create a protocol to assist those who follow in his footsteps.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Autumn Publishing
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2004 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved."



I though to myself "WTF" why cutting off someones dreams like that? I pretty sure it was not easy for Mr. Garcia to complete all the requirements to get accepted by the University of Kentucky and I am sure that there is much more people like him that cannot accomplish their dreams for just an absurd stamp on their passports! I understand that we need to have some kind of laws or regulations with people that come to this country illegally because we want to protect ourselves from the bad people. But hello! what kind of delinquent actually cares to get educated?
Undocumented people did broke the law of absurd fees, paperwork and lawyers (lawyers that may charge up to $300 per hour) because they knew no better or because they did not have the money to pay the fees or the lawyers. There is a fact that more than 90 % of undocumented students just broke those laws because they were brought by their parents when they were under age. In most cases parents come to the United States to provide a better future for their offspring. Then, everybody knows that families cannot be separated or else it would not be a family then parents and sometimes single parents decide to bring their kids with them. What these people do not know about is that they are breaking the law or if they know it does not matter because with hard work they will be able to provide their kids with good education and hopefully a better future.
  • I would love to see an Immigrant Reform for good students as soon as possible.
  • I would love to see the United States to be the host for those who still believe in the American Dream.
  • I would love to see the United States Immigrant Reform as fair because I known many people who are legal residents of the United States, and some that were lucky enough to be born in this beloved country that do not want to obey the laws and take advantage of the opportunities for success provided here in the U.S.
*Note that I am a college student, that I may have many grammar errors but from the bottom of my heart I write the truth.

2 comments:

iMasteR! said...

hello, there, yes, I see your point how ever let me tell you that most of the time. Students are scared to ask for help and no one is going to grab you by the hand and show you the way. School officials,may know that you qualify for cheaper class. That or that you can get the same price as permanent resident or citizen of the united states, but they will not tell you. All that you have to do is fill our a form that takes no more than 30 seconds, but guess what if you don't know about the form. "no one is going to tell you", how to get the classes cheaper. Why? good thing you asked but if you dint am going to tell you. Bottom line is that specially now with the economy, the school does not want to loose money.
I know this for experience I went to fill out my registration form. The college wanted my to pay $573.00 for 3 1 unit classes. how ever am soooo lucky because, I have some wonderful family around me. That had gone through this already. They were there to give me advice the process. Just a piece of paper no more than 3o seconds to fill out and am going to pay $26 per class.i'll get to the point, what am trying to say is don't be scared to ask questions. Find out what your rights are. Go out there ask questions,talk to other people, teachers,counselors someone will guide you. All this is out there waiting for you and most of all its FREE.
Como dice un dicho PREGUNTANDO SE LLEGA A ROMA.

by: a new college student

dagoalberto said...

Hi, all that is true. College tuition is more costly here in the U.S. for Illegals or "Illegal Aliens" as the governemnt puts it. But California has passed a law called the AB540 which lets illegal aliens like myself pay the same price for college as a natural born citizen. Now true, we do not qualify for for financial aid, government grants, or any government related help. But there are outside organizations that do give scholarships for students like us. All it takes is some homework. Many high school counselors have lists and websites that have scholarships for students like us. Now I use to be at the same stage of life, but now I will be graduating from San Jose State University this summer. My mom helped me with tuition for the first year, after that i worked and paid for it myself. It took me 6 years but I did it. If I can anybody can. Also, we students have to fight for our rights, we were brought here, now we have learned about the american dream, lets fight for it. Look for our senators, and Representatives, send them letters. Tell them your story. Having more educated people helps the U.S. economy. tell them that. Congress has argued a law that would give students legal status, its called the remaxx or dream act. But its never been passed. Make a call, send an email, or send a letter. We have nothing to lose, but a lot to gain.