Thread: Donations Allow the Gifted Illegal Student an Education

Donations Allow the Gifted Undocumented Student an Education

Updated: Thursday, 16 Jun 2011, 10:14 PM MST
Published : Thursday, 16 Jun 2011, 9:48 PM MST

TEMPE - It was a story that made news around the country: Arizona State University's valedictorian is an undocumented immigrant.

She had no money, no job, and under the law did not qualify for grants. So, how did she pay for tuition?

Philanthropists are quietly putting up the cash to help talented students without papers go to college. But once they get out, what comes next?

For Angelica Hernandez, graduation from ASU in May was bittersweet. She was valedictorian of one of the biggest universities in the United States, a mechanical engineer with a 4.1 average.

But as an undocumented immigrant, brought to Arizona from Mexico when she was nine years old, Angelica knew the minute she walked out of the ceremony she would have no future. That's the bitter part.

"You know it is just very unfortunate. I am trying so hard and have taken so many classes, I have a 4.1 grade point. I am doing very well at what I cannot do," says Angelica Hernandez.

At Carl Hayden High School on Phoenix's west side, Angelica was leader of the school's nationally-famous robotics team, which beat MIT in a competition.

Now she's back in her old neighborhood, reminiscing about solar thermal systems.

"Well for my senior design project we actually focused on the design for a Tesla turbine… to heat up water into superheated steam so we could run it to a turbine that would be very efficient for small applications."

Now, she's doing a little tutoring and working for the DREAM Act. She's not the only one unhappy with this situation.

At the offices of his Rodel Foundation in Scottsdale, we caught up with Don Budinger. He knows what it's like to be young and bursting with talent.

"From a garage startup, we were the world's largest manufacturer of the surface finishing chemicals used to make computer chips," says Budinger.

Don sold his company and now he works full time on improving public education in Arizona.

His foundation helps administer a scholarship fund through the group "Chicanos Por La Causa" -- that organization has come up with the money to help 250 talented, undocumented students like Angelica pay for college.

These students cannot qualify for state financial aid and must pay out-of-state tuition.

"We went out and raised $5.5 million that allowed us to sustain those 200 students at ASU, and we added an additional 50 students," says Edmundo Hidalgo with Chicanos Por La Causa.

Who's putting up all that cash? People who do not want to be identified.

"In this case I think some people might be concerned about the backlash because it is such a divisive political issue. People are on one side or another and there is not a lot of dialogue that leads to people appreciating the other point of view."

Don says America cannot afford to squander the talent of young people like Angelica Hernandez.

"These are kids, they do not even know if their parents have proper documentation or not, they have played by the rules," he says. "If I were responsible for the short-term outcome I would staple a green card to every college graduate's certificate."

Many people disagree with the DREAM Act. We spoke to a member of the College Republicans at ASU and he said the DREAM Act should not be used to help someone like Angelica Hernandez.

"I can definitely see how it is in some respects a form of amnesty, because the people who are in this country illegally are definitely breaking the laws, and there is no way around that unless we change the laws that currently exist," says student Joseph Hermiz.

While the debate rages, Angelica is mulling over her options.

"If I have to look into different countries that will allow me to practice my degree... Canada, Europe there is a lot of other countries that will take me in and see that I have talent."

Angelica says she wants to stay close to her family, which keeps her from doing just that.

"That is why we keep fighting for the DREAM Act."

Angelica has a sister who also graduated from ASU. She had a double major in psychology and sociology. She also cannot work.

The Dream Act would give a path to citizenship to young people brought to the U.S. as children if they're in college or the military.

It is supported by President Obama, but so far legislation has stalled in Congress.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/dpp/news/on ... -6-16-2011

I bet Mexico could use some educated people to help make it a better place for it's people, so GO HOME.