The Urban Institute estimates that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year. In most respects, these young people are already important members of our society. After completing an education in our primary schools, they envision their futures here and internalize American values. They also represent a considerable number of our population.
Rather than valuing them as important societal resources, current policies restrict their options and curb their potential. Without full legal rights, these graduates are barred from the very means that have ensured high levels of economic and social mobility to other immigrants throughout U.S. history. The undocumented students’ efforts to adapt and contribute economically are met with legal obstacles. Their situation is made even more difficult by confusing and conflicting laws that allow them to legally attend U.S. schools, but deny them opportunities to work, vote, receive financial aid, and drive in most states. This denial is enough to set them on a path of poverty and frustration.
A 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision entitles undocumented students to a free education from public K‐12 schools. However, neither Congress nor the courts have figured out what to do once these students decide to attend college. Most public universities classify undocumented youth as ‘international students’ and charge them three to seven times more in tuition. Given the limited economic resources of most undocumented high school graduates, the rising tuition rates and high overall cost of higher education are prohibitive. As a result, only a small fraction of these young people are able to pursue their education beyond the twelfth grade.
For most Americans, it is extremely difficult to afford a college education without financial aid, but undocumented students face even more obstacles. For them, the combination of limited family resources and exclusion from federal and state financial aid severely limits their ability to pursue higher education. Undocumented students cannot legally receive any federally funded student financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs. U.S. laws also prohibit undocumented students from participating in many federally-funded programs designed to assist low‐income students.
At some point, doors stop opening altogether for these young men and women. Whether it is a series of blocked opportunities within the labor market or the end of educational opportunities, there comes a time when they run out of options. These moments contradict everything we teach in school and send a message that the dreams of the undocumented will not be realized and that all of their hard work was in vain.
This also means a significant loss of potential for the U.S. Without the incentive and means to continue their education, undocumented youth cannot afford higher learning, and the U.S. is losing out on their productivity, entrepreneurship, and creativity, as well as tax revenue from their potentially higher earnings. Providing viable pathways to legalization can help lift these young people out of poverty, integrate them into adult society, and give them opportunities to compete for financial aid and jobs.
They just need to pay taxes then they should have every right that american citizens do, simple as that.
STOP this madness! We should not be supporting the education of illegals in our schools. Let them return to their countries and be educated there. If they REALLY want an American education, there are many online options. If they want to come to the US legally, let them first be educated. We don’t need anymore ignorant illegals sucking the life (and education) out of our society. Let’s improve our education for the sake of US citizens.
What I want to know is whether there are significant obstacles for such “undocumented students” to become “documented” or legal. Either we should make it easier for good students to become legal immigrants, or we shouldn’t pay for their education at all. What we’re doing now is just wasteful.
What I am struggling with is..I have come to this site to find more information about immigration in an un-bias way. But it has truly should me how unrealistic Americans views are on immigration. Do they not understand the billions of dollars that our government is spending keeping out good, hard-working people who only want a better life? It’s a waist of money and resources.
Boo frickin hoo. Illegal is illegal no matter how you spin your story. These undocumented children shouldnt be in our educational system at all. Why do Americans or LEGAL immigrants have to show numerous documents, vaccinations etc to get into school, get any benefits etc. A highschool education is more than most will get in their respective countries to begin with. If I have to pay for my children to go to college. I have a daughter who works two jobs and goes to college. THAT is the American dream, not endless handouts for these “poor” ILLEGAL people to have the same access to things that we have. Come here legally like millions have done over the decades and you can access everything we have to offer. Until they do things the right way, I have no sympathy at all nor do many others. WE are SICK of demands for benefits when our own children are suffering and their future is at risk. Why cant my children get more scholarships, etc? Where are the groups standing up for my childrens rights to a higher education? I forgot that it is automatic since we are white, My ancestors came her legally, learned English and achieved a better life.
Sick of such ignorance! Go do some research and learn about the laws. Illegal does not mean immoral, lawless, worthless like you’re imposing. Illegal people are simply that, people. In fact, they’re made out of the same things you’re made out of; the difference would be the place where they were born and the label(”illegal”) they carry. ”Doing things the right way” is their wish, except for most it’s NOT a choice. What kind of risk is there to your daughter’s future? What is she suffering from? Honestly, I define suffering to be the poverty in designated countries where kids die from not having enough to eat and from HAVING to drink bad water. I define ”suffering” to be the denial of the basic human rights such as access to medicine, health care, family planning, and a decent education. These are the kids suffering. They grow up without having any expectations, much less the ability to dream, because they are aware of the vicious cycle they don’t have the ability to free themselves out of. I’m not saying they should all come America, but let’s define things as they should be. Your preoccupations are twisted due to the fact that they don’t exist. Illegal immigrants CAN’T get scholarships,and therefore are NOT stealing your daughters opportunities in life. They also CAN’T get your daughter’s future job, and are willing to pay taxes, and do things the right way if given the chance. Ever thought your kids aren’t getting enough scholarships because of the financial status of the country as a whole? While ignorance prevails, this country will always be the hipocritical land of the free. I have an idea, let’s solve your problem! Send them all back home and see how America does!
Wow Cindy . You said it all. Great piece of writing
I’m an american born citizen but human first and that was exactly what I was thinking