Distant Dream
Palm Beach Post (Florida)
August 13, 2007 Monday
FINAL EDITION
DISTANT DREAM
BYLINE: By ALEJANDRA CANCINO Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 1B
LENGTH: 742 words
DATELINE: WEST PALM BEACH
On most days, Maritza carries a big smile. On this day, her eyes well up as she talks about illegal immigration.
“I’m just very sensitive,” the 16-year-old says in perfect English.
She tries to hold the tears and hide her secret, but the more she talks about it, the more she opens up. After a few minutes, they all come out: the tears and her story.
Her mom brought her to the United States when she was 7.
She cries because not having legal status means she won’t be able to go to college, mainly because of economic reasons.
“If I can go to college and get a good job, I can help my family” said the student at Forest Hill High School, who didn’t want to give her last name for fear of being deported to Mexico.
About 5,000 undocumented students graduate from Florida high schools every year, said Maria Rodriguez, executive director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. The coalition is one of many groups working to pass the federal Dream Act, a bill that would allow undocumented students to go to college and qualify for in-state tuition. A Florida resident pays an average of about $3,300 a year in tuition. An out-of-state student pays $16,200.
Like Maritza, thousands of Florida students who graduate every year won’t go to college because they are undocumented. Although all 11 state universities and 19 of 28 community colleges accept undocumented students, those students don’t qualify for in-state tuition, state and federal grants, financial aid, or numerous scholarships.
Maritza’s mother sometimes works 14-hour days. She could never afford Maritza’s education.
Maritza said she would work to pay for her school, but without legal documents, she would earn less than minimum wage.
The Dream Act has been introduced in Congress every year since 2001. This year, although a broad immigration bill failed in the Senate, many believe the act has a good chance of succeeding, mainly because it has had increasing support. Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., attached the bill as an amendment to the military authorization legislation that the Senate put off until September.
In the House, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami; Rep. Howard Bernan, D-Calif.; and Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, D-Calif., introduced the bill in March.
Those who oppose the bill call it a reward for breaking the law. But the Dream Act is Ivan’s only ticket to college. The 14-year-old gifted student learned to read, add and subtract when he was 3.
His mother, Maria, came to the United States looking for an opportunity for Ivan. In her native Mexico, she said, Ivan wouldn’t have had the education he has here.
This school year, Ivan is enrolled in two Advanced Placement classes and four International Baccalaureate classes. All his classes could give him college credits. He has a 3.8 grade point average and received multiple awards last year for math and science.
“It’s frustrating to think that he is not going to pursue his education,” said Maria, who also didn’t want to use her last name for fear of being deported. Maria earns $800 a week cleaning houses in Palm Beach. But that steady income is not enough to pay out-of-state tuition.
Lt. Col. Larry Marksberry, a JROTC senior army instructor at Forest Hill High, said he has seen undocumented students excel in the JROTC program. Marksberry said he had a student last year, Juan, who volunteered 3,000 hours to the community and was selected for every honor he could think of. He now works in the back of a supermarket.
“They are phenomenal young citizens, and it breaks my heart,” Marksberry said.
The New York Times contributed to this story.
Rules for relief
Requirements to qualify for immigration relief under the Dream Act:
- A student must have been in the United States for at least five years.
- The student must have been brought to the U.S. when he or she was 15 or younger.
- The student must be able to demonstrate a good moral character.
The Dream Act
- Once a student graduates from high school, hewould be permitted to apply for conditional status, which would authorize up to six years of legal residency.
- During the six-year period, the student must graduate from a two-year college, complete at least two years toward a four-year degree or serve in the military for at least two years.
- Permanent residency would be granted at the end of the six years if the student has met all the requirements and has continued to maintain good moral character.
Source: The National ImmigrationLaw Center