Thread: America's Undocumented Brain Drain

America's Undocumented Brain Drain

By Steve Krafft KSAZ Phoenix

Published May 17, 2011

She just graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from ASU and was one of the top students in her class -- but Angelica Hernández has another big struggle ahead.

Her new struggle is getting the DREAM Act passed, so she can get an engineering job in the United States.The DREAM Act would allow young illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, if they, like Angelica, were brought here when they were little and wanted to attend college or enlist in the military.

We visited the high school that nurtured Angelica's talent.

Students on the robotics team at Carl Hayden High School on Phoenix's west side have won national titles.

Boots with curled pointy toes became all the rage in the Mexican town of Matehuala.

Angelica Hernández went from the robotics team to the top of her class at ASU. Her mom brought her to Arizona from Mexico when she was nine.

Angelica is undocumented so she cannot work.

At Carl Hayden High School, everybody on the robotics team is thinking about Angelica.

"It is a very tough situation I mean having such a bright young mind and not being able to use it for the benefit of the country is a shame," says Eduardo Fernández.

Fredi Lavjardi started the robotics program at Carl Hayden.

"I tell her not to be too upset, her degree is good, no one can tell her to take that away, she can work in any country on the planet except the United States," he says. "The best student at ASU will have to go work for another country."

Lavjardi says there are lots of Angelicas out there -- super-talented, highly educated, and undocumented.

The question is: what is the United States going to do about them? There's a lot of controversy.

One option is pass the DREAM Act and allow mechanical engineers like Angelica to work in the U.S. The other option is not to pass the DREAM Act and force people like Angelica, with their first-rate American training, to head to Canada, Europe, or Mexico.

That's called reverse brain drain -- where highly educated graduates migrate to work abroad -- instead of using their skills to make advancements for the U.S. government or U.S. businesses.

Angelica told us she was not asked or required to prove her citizenship status during her primary and second public schooling. In the public schools, all children are given an education regardless -- it is illegal to discriminate based on status.

As for her college education, Angelica paid out of state tuition that was funded by private donors. She did not take any federal grant money.

For more stories from KSAZ in Phoenix, Arizona go to myfoxphoenix.com.

Read more: http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2 ... z1MezAkRQ0

[quote="stevetheroofer"]America's Undocumented Brain Drain

Only 40% of illegal anchors even graduate college. Sure, maybe a handful of them excel in our schools, but that's NO excuse to pass "DREAM ACT". If it were passed, it would give EVERY anchor free citizenship ( and their illegal families) and government education grants (if the qualify). It's a FACT that almost half of the illegal kids don't give a rats butt about education and the "DREAM ACT" to them is nothing more than permission to stay in our Country and roam around scamming the taxpayers. Additionally, students like "Angela" can take and apply her knowledge to her OWN Country and help fix the problems THERE! And another thing, this claim the illegals make about us "separating families" is a CROCK! They chose to pop out kids to ANCHOR themselves into our Country. They knew what they were doing was WRONG, but expect to be allowed to remain here just because they had them! If they were so worried about being "separated", they shouldn't have had kids to be separated from! The tiny fraction of their kids who actually WANTED to do well in school should go home and wait in line or if they are so smart, stay in there OWN Country and fix it!

Sadly there are a few examples where these children do excel and would be an asset to America. I think this is the second one I have read this year?

I have heard and read countless stories of children in this same situation who have turned to gangs and crime's that terrorize innocent citizens.

The news in Portland right now is all about how there have been a record number of gang related killings. (Sanctuary city)

Maybe if these dreamers could come up with a formula where say 5,000 gang-bangers would volunteer to go and stay home?

Why are the parents never interviewed for these sob stories?

It all starts the moment they stepped over the fence and put two feet on American soil.

I believe had there been a BP agent there at that moment (Maybe my good friend DL?) that they would not have been allowed to pass.
What gives them the right now........however many years, miles or children later to think they are free to stay?

As for her college education, Angelica paid out of state tuition that was funded by private donors. She did not take any federal grant money.

Money that could have gone to an American kid.

Dont worry Pattyk, an american kid probably didnt want or need that help

Originally Posted by strugglingcitizen

Dont worry Pattyk, an american kid probably didnt want or need that help

Did you know that even the community colleges are turning away American students because the "impovished poor" illegals on welfare gets their anchors enrolled on priority registration?? Sorry if I made you foam at the mouth like I am!

I know that my niece with great grades and a single mother, will be paying her student loans for a LONG time.Yes that makes me foam at the mouth too!

Did you know that even the community colleges are turning away American students because

No I didn"t know that. The liberal media "forgets" to print those stories.

Originally Posted by pattyk

As for her college education, Angelica paid out of state tuition that was funded by private donors. She did not take any federal grant money.

Money that could have gone to an American kid.

Exactly, pattyk.