The DREAM Act’s recent failure to pass a procedural vote in the U.S. Senate has ensured that two million children and young adults, many of whom have lived in the U.S. most their lives, will continue to be left out in the cold this Christmas. A recent editorial in this paper recognized this vote for what it was: politics at its ugliest. As a result, 2 million children and young adults, many of whom have lived here all their lives, will continue to be left out in the cold.
The DREAM Act would provide the children of undocumented immigrants a path to legal residency by either going to college or enlisting in the military. It is good legislation, and it is a shame it was not allowed to move toward debate.
In 1982, the Supreme Court of the United States granted undocumented students equal access to elementary and secondary education rather than risk marginalizing them as a permanent underclass. This ruling, however, was silent on the issue of higher education, and as such, imposes stiff financial penalties on undocumented students who want to go to college.
These students are being held accountable for the actions of their parents, who brought them here illegally or stayed in the United States after their work visas expired. Returning the children to the country of their birth is neither practical nor humane. They grew up in America, a significant number of them in Arkansas, and have become a part of the social and educational fabric of this state and nation.
Supporters of the DREAM Act, myself among them, believe it will greatly benefit the United States as an economic catalyst by allowing these young people access to higher education and the ability to be productive citizens. Without the DREAM Act or similar legislation, we frustrate the dreams of many young men and women who have the academic talent and desire, but not the means, to be tomorrow’s doctors and scientists, professors and teachers.
Here are a few examples of students that the University of Arkansas helped get to college through private scholarship funds from generous alumni and friends-funds that cannot be sustained since so many young people are in this predicament:
Jose is from Guadalajara, Mexico,and came here at an early age. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 2008. He is currently working for a local nonprofit, striving to become a nephrologist, but cannot afford medical school because of his immigration status.
Jazmin is from Tijuana, Mexico. She came here when she was four. Jazmin’s been active in her church, participated in band, choir, soccer, Arkansas Governor’s School, Odyssey of the Mind, and B.E.S.T. Robotics, winning several team and individual academic awards at the state level. Jazmin graduated from high school with honors. She completed the Four-Year Honors program, which culminated in an undergraduate thesis and a 3.7 G.P.A. She wants to go to graduate school to teach physics and do research at the college level.
Others currently in high school, or who recently graduated, want to attend college but can’t gain access without passage of the DREAM Act.
David, 17, came to Arkansas when he was four. He is an honors student who graduated with a perfect 4.0 GPA. His favorite subjects are math and science, and he was part of a team that won a major science fair. He wants to be an engineer and help build skyscrapers.
Juan, 18, wants to be an architect and design homes and energy efficient buildings. After arriving in Arkansas when he was five, he played football in high school and performed in plays. He has an amazing tenor voice. His teachers describe him as talented, handsome and very smart.
Carlos came to Northwest Arkansas when he was seven years old, and his father died shortly after arriving. When his mother’s work visa expired, the family stayed here to work, as they could not afford to return to Central America. Carlos is an excellent student and wants to enroll in college and become a teacher. His family cannot afford out-of-state tuition.
Not one of these exceptional students would take the place of any academically eligible Arkansas citizen.Almost all of our colleges and universities in Arkansas want to grow. All that these students want is an education at the same cost as the friends they grew up with and with whom they graduated.
Let’s consider putting students first and helping them-and our state and nation-to achieve their full potential.
G. David Gearhart is the chancellor of the University of Arkansas
Perspective, Pages 78 on 12/26/2010