Thread: Undocumented students hold rally at PBCC to support Dream Ac

Undocumented students hold rally at PBCC to support Dream Act

They want law to pass that makes it easier for them to enter, pay for college


Mexican immigrant Manuel Guerra speaks at a rally to support of the DREAM Act, an immigration bill that would create a path to citizenship for undocumented students. He came to the states illegally and after graduating from high school he was unable to study for the priesthood because of his status. (Mark Randall, Sun Sentinel / September 23, 2009)

Migration By C. Ron Allen
South Florida Sun Sentinel
7:46 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2009

LAKE WORTH - Frank is the kind of student most colleges would love to enroll.

As a 3.5 student at South Technical Academy in Boynton Beach, he excelled in computer networking. He was a member of the student government and a prime candidate for a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship.

But that couldn't get him into college.

Although he has been in the United States since he was 2, he is undocumented. He couldn't accept the scholarship, and without financial aid he is trying hard to stay in college and not scuttle his plans to be a veterinarian.

"The only school I can go to is a community college, and I have only been able to take two classes a year," said Frank, 21, whose parents came here from Colombia. "I can't get scholarships, and I have to pay out of state [tuition]. It gets very expensive."

On Wednesday, Frank and about 150 other students, faculty and supporters gathered in the TC Courtyard on Palm Beach Community College's Lake Worth campus for a rally endorsing the Dream Act, a bill that would allow undocumented students to get financial aid to pay for college. They started a petition seeking at least 300 supporters.

Many of the students at the rally were undocumented immigrants and identified themselves only by their first names.

Their plight has resonated nationwide. Each year, at least 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school. In Washington, D.C., the bill to smooth the path to college is winding its way through the Senate with Democratic and Republican support.

Supporters say although the U.S. Supreme Court has guaranteed those students the right to a free public education through the 12th grade, once they doff their caps and gowns, national policies stymie their pursuit of higher education. Without Social Security numbers they can't get jobs, or even driver's licenses, forcing them to the fringes of society.

Connie Berry, a guidance counselor/specialist in the multicultural education department for Palm Beach County schools, said the country gives mixed messages.

"We tell them ... 'If you study and if you do well, you'll graduate from high school and you'd go to college,' " she told the rally, which took the form of a mock graduation ceremony, replete with students clad in brightly colored caps and gowns. "What a heartbreaking thing not to tell the truth."

Current federal restrictions force state colleges and universities to charge students who don't have legal immigration status higher, out-of-state tuition rates. That puts college out of reach for most of them. For example, students at Palm Beach Community College must pay $299.36 per credit hour compared with $82.50 for in-state students, according to the PBCC website.

The Dream Act would lift those restrictions. It also would let such students conditionally remain in this country if they have grown up here, graduated from high school and have shown good moral character.

But Bob Dane, a spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which opposes the Dream Act, said the supporters are pushing an amnesty plan disguised as an educational initiative.

"This thing has been kicked around in one form or another since 2001 and it is really another way to piecemeal amnesty," Dane said. "Were giving away higher educations to illegal aliens at the expense of U.S. citizens."

Ruth Rodriguez, 18, and her siblings came to the United States with their parents, who are from the Dominican Republic, in early childhood. They grew up in America and made their lives here, but their futures are filled with uncertainty.

An aspiring lawyer, Rodriguez took three years of JROTC classes in high school, qualified for Bright Futures and prepared herself for college. Those dreams were dashed at graduation.

"It's discouraging because I really worked hard in school," said Rodriguez, who graduated from Coconut Creek High School. "I graduated top 15 percentage of my class, I became the battalion commander in JROTC and I tried my hardest in school. I did everything I was supposed to do. It's something that's totally out of my control."

C. Ron Allen can be reached at crallen@SunSentinel.com or 561-243-6611.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... 4997.story

"The only school I can go to is a community college, and I have only been able to take two classes a year," said Frank, 21, whose parents came here from Colombia. "I can't get scholarships, and I have to pay out of state [tuition]. It gets very expensive."

Oh cry me a river...

You and your family have been living for NINETEEN years off the backs of tax paying Americans, nineteen years! Obviously your entire family has NO problem breaking all kinds of laws, you got your entire education for free... and still you want more at OUR expense. Not gonna happen!

We have our own problems. Go back to your home country and help them and finish your education there...thanks

If they are in our country illegally, they don't deserve anything from the American tax payers.

Deport them all to Iraq!

Now let's have an article about the plight of American students who can't afford college. Remember, an out-of-state American will pay a higher tuition while a really out of state illegal Mexican gets reduced in state rates.

What about the GPAs and ranking of American Students?

Post pertaining to GPA:
ALIPAC: Lifting ban on illegal immigrants may profit college
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-885029-.html#885029

What a mess this has become when we have people from foreign lands demanding benefits from our tax dollars.

Thanks to all you crooks in washington dc

I did everything I was supposed to do. It's something that's totally out of my control."

Someone as bright as him should have known that he was in the country illegally and his status would catch up to him sooner or later. He is free to go back to his home country and get his college education there. Illegal aliens have been treated to free education because of a bill that was slipped passed the American people. They should be grateful for what they got and move on and away from here.

"The Real DREAM Act would send these students back to their HOME countries and stop draining our resources that could be used to assist United States Citizens and NOT the ILLEGALS and their Anchors! Just follow the money! The Elitist Politicians and their Elitist Political Contributors want to continue to have United States Citizens pay the benefits for their ILLEGALS while they continue to have their BOTTOM LINES increased at the taxpayer's expense!"