Nightmare of a Dream Student
Arizona Watch
New America Media, Commentary , Roberto Dr. Cintli Rodriguez, Posted: Oct 26, 2009
TUCSON, Ariz. -- I’ll refer to her as Leticia X.
She is undocumented, but has been in this country since the age of three and is a top student at her high school. Yet, unless the law changes soon, she will be unable to continue with her studies. She tells my students at the University of Arizona that it is wrong that she will not be able to attend college next year: “I consider myself a U.S. citizen. It’s the only country I’ve ever known.”
Her symbolic mother is Leticia A -- a student who set the legal precedent in 1982 in Plyler v. Doe in Texas, permitting undocumented students to be able to attend public K-12 schools, without having to pay exorbitant out-of-state tuition.
Today, Leticia X struggles to change this policy to include K-16 students. If out-of-state fees are exorbitant for out of state K-12 students, the rates are stratospheric for out-of-state college students, generally costing tens of thousands of dollars yearly.
Leticia X is part of a nationwide movement – nearly a decade old – to pass legislation that would permit students such as her, to be able to attend college at in-state rates. It’s called the DREAM Act. A majority of members of Congress support it, but since 2001, they’ve never been able to garner the 60 votes necessary in the Senate to bring it to a full vote (cloture). It even has a controversial provision that was injected into it that would permit students to also qualify for U.S. residency by first going into the military for two years. A terrible compromise, but even that has not worked.
It pains me that I cannot publicly identify Leticia X. The irony is that she, like many other DREAM students do identify themselves in public. Apparently, they are more trusting of government than I am.
You have to understand, she was making her plea before my students in Arizona – the New South. It’s also the Old South.
Last week, I took my students to witness Operation Streamline, a Homeland Security program that targets undocumented migrants in specific zones with immediate prosecution and deportation. Nothing I told them could prepare them for what they saw. Several left early, crying, unable to continue to witness what passes for a judicial proceeding.
Here, at Tucson’s Federal Court, there are daily tax-payer-funded show trials in which 70 to 80 defendants, undocumented migrants all, are convicted in one hour. It’s the racial element and the shackles around the ankles, waist and hands that shock the conscience.
In one hour, they are tried, convicted and deported or sent to a private prison (Corrections Corporation of America). It is the breakneck speed that profoundly damages the human spirit and the integrity of the courtroom. As one of my students commented: “They’re like cattle being led to the slaughter.”
But back to Leticia X. Her story is gut wrenching. She is bright and articulate, and hard-working to a fault. She studies even when she’s sick because she believes she has earned the right to go to college. She is, figuratively, a dream student.
If the law does not change by December, she will not be attending a U.S. college next year.
It is difficult to imagine why anyone would be opposed to seeing her go off to college. She knows no other home and barely speaks Spanish.
The larger tragedy is that her story is repeated 65,000 times every year nationwide. There would be many more, but many drop out, not seeing the point of continuing to attend high school. What I really want to do is call the National Hispanic Scholarship Foundation and ask them why they are opposed to creating a special fund to help the Leticia Xes of this nation. Nothing in the law prevents them from doing so.
However, Leticia X is undaunted and courageous. She tells me she has no problem with me using her true name. I dare not expose her to the Joe Arpaios and Lou Dobbs of the world.
President Barack Obama promised a humane solution to the immigration crisis. Humane? Yes. Leticia X is a full human being.
Rodriguez, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona, can be reached at XColumn@gmail.com
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User Comments
Sherlrock on Oct 30, 2009 at 12:28:12 said:
The Dream Act would allow high school students who have been in the US for several years the ability to enroll in college with in-state tuition, it would not allow them to get any federal aid. It also gives a path for legal residency upon graduation from college, and that, of course, is contingent upon good behavior. As we know most children have not had much work history, so their tax payment history could be moot. It gives these students hope to contribute to the intellectual and tax base of this country. It's a win-win situation.
Gerald Hayes on Oct 28, 2009 at 01:14:58 said:
i believe that the Dream Act should pass but only in certain circumstances. For example; it should help students who have excelled and who will contribute to our society. They should have prove that, as many undocument immigrants do, have payed taxes. Do not have criminal records. And are willing to pay a fee to get legal residency. LIke i said, this act should become law but shoudl only help the bunch that deserves it. What do you all think?
Carrie W on Oct 27, 2009 at 05:28:00 said:
What part of "illegal" do you and her not understand???
Where is the DREAM Act for American kids???
Not Ignorant on Oct 26, 2009 at 22:12:53 said:
She is undocumented is not all that needs to be said she's a human being and I pity you people who don't share that human compassion. Laws can be blind and unjust that is why there is this system that allows it to be change.She was a child for Christ sakes and you still wish to place the blame on her. Shes lived here her entire life, pays the same taxes every other consumer does and she can't benefit from it a little.
Not Ignorant on Oct 26, 2009 at 22:10:42 said:
She is undocumented is not all that needs to be said she's a human being and I pity you people who don't share that human compassion. Laws can be blind and unjust that is why there is this system that allows it to be change.She was a child for Christ sakes and you still wish to place the blame on her. Shes lived here her entire life, pays the same taxes every other consumer does and she can't benefit from it a little.
Not Ignorant on Oct 26, 2009 at 22:09:38 said:
She is undocumented is not all that needs to be said she's a human being and I pity you people who don't share that human compassion. Laws can be blind and unjust that is why there is this system that allows it to be change.She was a child for Christ sakes and you still wish to place the blame on her. Shes lived here her entire life, pays the same taxes every other consumer does and she can't benefit from it a little.
William Mandel on Oct 26, 2009 at 22:06:54 said:
Tshis country was founded by foreigners from Europe. all of us, except for Native Americans ((INdians) are the descendants of foreigners or foreigners ourselves.
J Cir on Oct 26, 2009 at 21:46:41 said:
I'm sure there are plenty of colleges in Leticia's country of origin that would be ecstatic to have an American educated (at US taxpayer expense) university student in their midst. Otherwise, Leticia can return to her country of origin, apply for entry into the US the legal way, and attend an American university like any legal resident.
Enough of my tax dollars are squandered as it is, particularly with this out of control Obama administration at the controls. What remains of my personal wealth does not need to subsidize further the education of illegal immigrants.
Jane Doe on Oct 26, 2009 at 21:45:00 said:
She was 3 years old when she arrived here! Why would she go back to a country she has never gone to school in and to a university where courses are taught in Spanish a language she doesn\\\'t even speak. Sure, we can blame the parents, maybe you think she shouldn\\\'t get a pass, but that still does not change her situation. And Dave A., your taxes are paying for a lot worst than any \\\"legal or illegal\\\" person\\\'s tuition.
Support the Dream Act, and stop being so ignorant because she contributes to taxes every time she buys something in Arizona, taxes that pay for the roads you drive on and the schools you or your family, or even your children night attend.
Alex Sandoro on Oct 26, 2009 at 16:55:14 said:
She is undocumented..... The first three words of the article. That's all that needed to be said. SO, if you break the law for long enough, you should get a pass. Perhaps if you break the law but are a good student you should get a pass. I'm not sure how the author was justifying himself.
Dave A on Oct 26, 2009 at 11:35:33 said:
If she was brought here with proper papers she wouldn\'t be in this mess. I blame the parents. My taxes shouldn\'t be used to pay the tuition of any foreigners, legal or illegal.
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